Ted was born at the Royal Army Base in Woolwich, England and lived his early years in Shoeburyness on the English Channel near London. During the years of WWII, he moved up to Alyth, Scotland with his mother Patricia Smith and sister Patricia Zupan, nee Smith.

After the war, the family moved back to Shoeburyness and was reunited with his father, Edwin David Smith after his father's return from service in East Africa. After completing his schooling, Ted served as an Aircraft Mechanic in Yorkshire with the Royal Airforce.
In 1953 Ted immigrated to Canada and began his lifelong career working with the TD Bank.

Ted was a member of the Jericho Tennis Club, and in 1954 met his future wife, Violet Smith, nee Shumas. They married in 1967. Ted was a devoted husband to Violet and incredible father to his children Michael (wife Carolyn) and Kathy (husband Shane). He was a warm and caring grandfather, loved dearly by his grandchildren James, Natalie and Isaiah. Ted was a kind, loving, wise, selfless, and gentle man.

He was a joyful man right to his final days, always generous with a smile or thoughtful word of encouragement.