Obituary for Douglas Frank Smode
Douglas Frank Smode passed away on Monday, January 23, 2023 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 36 years old.
Doug leaves behind his mother Donna Cross; his siblings, Cam Shave, Anna (Kamyar) Sarkhosh, Danielle Pagonis and Michael Oryshchuk; numerous Aunts and Uncles, cousins and his beloved nieces Winter and Eden, as well as friends and fans worldwide. Doug was predeceased by his father Tibor Frank Smode; his grandparents, Dortha (Skip) and Arthur Cross, Adolf and Susan Smode; his uncles Robert (Bobby) Cross and Adolf Smode.
Doug was born to his parents, Frank Smode and Donna Cross, on July 16, 1986 in Calgary, Alberta. Doug and his parents spent the next few years residing in the Calgary and Cochrane area. Doug and his mom lived briefly in the Northwest Territories and then lived at Grandma Skip’s farm outside of Cochrane, Alberta. On the farm, Doug’s love for animals and appreciation for nature grew.
Around this time Doug welcomed his little sisters, Anna and Danielle, and younger brother Mike. Doug loved them with all his heart, and he was most happy when he was spending time with them. Cam, Doug’s older adopted brother, became part of the family through his friendship with Doug. He loved his mom and siblings with his whole heart and carried that love throughout his life and travels. His mentors and father figures throughout his life were his uncle Dave and his uncle Frog. He loved these two men with all his heart and respected them deeply. Dave and Frog helped mentor this young man into the outstanding person he was.
Doug moved to Airdrie, Elk Point, and then finished his Junior High / High School education in Swan Hills. During this time, he forged lifelong friendships with Travis, Tyler, Cole, Garrett.
Doug was always on his quad, camping, setting up pranks on innocent bystanders, and wrestling with his buddies.
Doug’s journey into body modification and embracing the culture had been sparked while spending time with his Uncle Frog. Doug spent countless hours reading the National Geographics in his uncle’s garage. This is where the seed of self-expression and true self was formed and became the foundation of his life.
As many ancient tribal cultures, Doug also saw body modifications as a rite of passage, a symbol to commemorate personal milestones, and a worldwide social acceptance to a select few. He embodied the true connection of body and mind, which the rituals stood for. This process shaped Doug’s identity. Each modification signified his commitment to the sacred traditions. His modifications and jewelry he adorned symbolized the connection of his mind, body and soul. To Doug the meaning of his modification journey was the essence of his spirit.
After High School, Doug worked in the Swan Hills oilfield for several years before him and his brother Cam headed south to Calgary. He loved the city, especially the SW area. He stayed in that area his entire adult life.
Doug worked at the Wild Rose Brewery for years, which he loved. Doug always worked side jobs as well, such as bouncing at the local bars.
Doug travelled to Thailand and Australia. In Thailand Doug scuba dived, worked at an Elephant sanctuary, and travelled extensively. In Australia, Doug worked on a Avocado Farm. He loved Australia, he met his best mates, Wip and Enrico, who came to live in Canada with Doug, and remain two of his closest friends today.
It was in 2011 when Doug started his apprenticeship at Heroes and Villains tattoo shop. He was finally practicing in his chosen profession and passion. Doug took as much training and education as possible.
In 2012 Doug began to gather suspension practitioners, and in 2013 he and Jon founded Permafrost Suspensions.
In 2012 Doug travelled to Texas for the Allen Falkner’s Dallas Suscon and attended the Omaha Nebraska Mecca Sus Convention which was an annual gathering. Doug only missed this convention once. In 2012 Doug was trained in the procedure of branding at Fakir Intensives, under Fakir Musafar.
In 2016 Doug travelled to Venezuela with a mission. He met with Emilio Gonzalez to have his eyeballs tattooed. During that time, Emilio trained Doug in using his safe technique of eyeball tattooing, making Doug the safest practitioner in Canada doing this procedure.
In 2015 Doug gained notoriety as he was the first person over 200 pounds to suspend from his face. Doug performed throughout the world. He visited the states many times, attended the Chile, Venezuela, New York, Romania, Oakland, Dominican Republic are just some of the places Doug travelled to, performing for his adoring fans, and making solid friendships along the way.
His last international trip was to Romania, where he had the privilege of travelling with his favorite person, his mom Donna. Doug said it was the best of trips, because he had the opportunity to do the performing he loved with his honoured colleagues and friends, while sharing the experience with his mom.
In 2021 Studio Phi became Doug’s permanent piercing home. Here he had approval for not only piercing but also implants, tongue splitting, and body modifications.
Doug started working at PK Sounds, there he built his wood working skills and had a whole garage set up for a multitude of wood and metal projects. He was a master Shaibari.
Throughout his life, Doug loved pets. He had scorpions, and two red tailed Boa Constrictors, Clarice, and Lucian, and of course his iguana, Lizzy. In 2020, Doug decided to foster his first dog. Along came Randy. Doug said Randy was just a foster, however it was immediately apparent to all of us, and Randy, that Randy was going no where. Doug and Randy had been the best of buddies since the foster fail. Doug also had a plan. His future included many international guest spots for piecing, body modifications, performing in festival while staying at Studio Phi as a home base. One of his main goals was to settle in B.C. with his friend Garrett. Doug spent as much time as he possibly could in the solace of nature. He just finished an eight-week backwoods adventure where he learned to build log cabins.
Its easy to list all Doug’s professional milestones, but what meant the most to him was the family and friendships he made along the way. Looking out today, we see friends from grade school to folks Doug shared just one interaction. With each person, Doug connected on a soulful level. He had that ability to make someone feel seen, grounded, and safe all at once, despite his crazy appearance. Donna raised that ‘crazy kid of hers’ to be himself, follow his dreams, be kind, and to always, always find his way home. Donna gave this world a gift, a one of a kind, a special soul that she has shared and nurtured throughout his whole life. They were a mom and son team and became best friends. Doug also wanted to make his mom proud, and he never fell short.
Doug loved family time more than anything else. His close friends were always welcome to join. He never missed a Graduation, birth reveal, Thanksgiving and especially Christmas.
We could fill pages and pages about Doug. The huge impact he had on our world. Its impossible to capture the love and admiration he sent out into the world. His strength and kindness is an inspiration for all of us. Doug was strong and determined and always, always fun.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Astoria Banquet Hall (2027 Pegasus Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8C3).
For those who are not able to attend the Celebration, you are also able to watch via LiveStream at either via YouTube or via DaCast or via CalgaryAV and this last one has a password that is Case Sensitive (ChoiceMemorial).
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Doug, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
Doug leaves behind his mother Donna Cross; his siblings, Cam Shave, Anna (Kamyar) Sarkhosh, Danielle Pagonis and Michael Oryshchuk; numerous Aunts and Uncles, cousins and his beloved nieces Winter and Eden, as well as friends and fans worldwide. Doug was predeceased by his father Tibor Frank Smode; his grandparents, Dortha (Skip) and Arthur Cross, Adolf and Susan Smode; his uncles Robert (Bobby) Cross and Adolf Smode.
Doug was born to his parents, Frank Smode and Donna Cross, on July 16, 1986 in Calgary, Alberta. Doug and his parents spent the next few years residing in the Calgary and Cochrane area. Doug and his mom lived briefly in the Northwest Territories and then lived at Grandma Skip’s farm outside of Cochrane, Alberta. On the farm, Doug’s love for animals and appreciation for nature grew.
Around this time Doug welcomed his little sisters, Anna and Danielle, and younger brother Mike. Doug loved them with all his heart, and he was most happy when he was spending time with them. Cam, Doug’s older adopted brother, became part of the family through his friendship with Doug. He loved his mom and siblings with his whole heart and carried that love throughout his life and travels. His mentors and father figures throughout his life were his uncle Dave and his uncle Frog. He loved these two men with all his heart and respected them deeply. Dave and Frog helped mentor this young man into the outstanding person he was.
Doug moved to Airdrie, Elk Point, and then finished his Junior High / High School education in Swan Hills. During this time, he forged lifelong friendships with Travis, Tyler, Cole, Garrett.
Doug was always on his quad, camping, setting up pranks on innocent bystanders, and wrestling with his buddies.
Doug’s journey into body modification and embracing the culture had been sparked while spending time with his Uncle Frog. Doug spent countless hours reading the National Geographics in his uncle’s garage. This is where the seed of self-expression and true self was formed and became the foundation of his life.
As many ancient tribal cultures, Doug also saw body modifications as a rite of passage, a symbol to commemorate personal milestones, and a worldwide social acceptance to a select few. He embodied the true connection of body and mind, which the rituals stood for. This process shaped Doug’s identity. Each modification signified his commitment to the sacred traditions. His modifications and jewelry he adorned symbolized the connection of his mind, body and soul. To Doug the meaning of his modification journey was the essence of his spirit.
After High School, Doug worked in the Swan Hills oilfield for several years before him and his brother Cam headed south to Calgary. He loved the city, especially the SW area. He stayed in that area his entire adult life.
Doug worked at the Wild Rose Brewery for years, which he loved. Doug always worked side jobs as well, such as bouncing at the local bars.
Doug travelled to Thailand and Australia. In Thailand Doug scuba dived, worked at an Elephant sanctuary, and travelled extensively. In Australia, Doug worked on a Avocado Farm. He loved Australia, he met his best mates, Wip and Enrico, who came to live in Canada with Doug, and remain two of his closest friends today.
It was in 2011 when Doug started his apprenticeship at Heroes and Villains tattoo shop. He was finally practicing in his chosen profession and passion. Doug took as much training and education as possible.
In 2012 Doug began to gather suspension practitioners, and in 2013 he and Jon founded Permafrost Suspensions.
In 2012 Doug travelled to Texas for the Allen Falkner’s Dallas Suscon and attended the Omaha Nebraska Mecca Sus Convention which was an annual gathering. Doug only missed this convention once. In 2012 Doug was trained in the procedure of branding at Fakir Intensives, under Fakir Musafar.
In 2016 Doug travelled to Venezuela with a mission. He met with Emilio Gonzalez to have his eyeballs tattooed. During that time, Emilio trained Doug in using his safe technique of eyeball tattooing, making Doug the safest practitioner in Canada doing this procedure.
In 2015 Doug gained notoriety as he was the first person over 200 pounds to suspend from his face. Doug performed throughout the world. He visited the states many times, attended the Chile, Venezuela, New York, Romania, Oakland, Dominican Republic are just some of the places Doug travelled to, performing for his adoring fans, and making solid friendships along the way.
His last international trip was to Romania, where he had the privilege of travelling with his favorite person, his mom Donna. Doug said it was the best of trips, because he had the opportunity to do the performing he loved with his honoured colleagues and friends, while sharing the experience with his mom.
In 2021 Studio Phi became Doug’s permanent piercing home. Here he had approval for not only piercing but also implants, tongue splitting, and body modifications.
Doug started working at PK Sounds, there he built his wood working skills and had a whole garage set up for a multitude of wood and metal projects. He was a master Shaibari.
Throughout his life, Doug loved pets. He had scorpions, and two red tailed Boa Constrictors, Clarice, and Lucian, and of course his iguana, Lizzy. In 2020, Doug decided to foster his first dog. Along came Randy. Doug said Randy was just a foster, however it was immediately apparent to all of us, and Randy, that Randy was going no where. Doug and Randy had been the best of buddies since the foster fail. Doug also had a plan. His future included many international guest spots for piecing, body modifications, performing in festival while staying at Studio Phi as a home base. One of his main goals was to settle in B.C. with his friend Garrett. Doug spent as much time as he possibly could in the solace of nature. He just finished an eight-week backwoods adventure where he learned to build log cabins.
Its easy to list all Doug’s professional milestones, but what meant the most to him was the family and friendships he made along the way. Looking out today, we see friends from grade school to folks Doug shared just one interaction. With each person, Doug connected on a soulful level. He had that ability to make someone feel seen, grounded, and safe all at once, despite his crazy appearance. Donna raised that ‘crazy kid of hers’ to be himself, follow his dreams, be kind, and to always, always find his way home. Donna gave this world a gift, a one of a kind, a special soul that she has shared and nurtured throughout his whole life. They were a mom and son team and became best friends. Doug also wanted to make his mom proud, and he never fell short.
Doug loved family time more than anything else. His close friends were always welcome to join. He never missed a Graduation, birth reveal, Thanksgiving and especially Christmas.
We could fill pages and pages about Doug. The huge impact he had on our world. Its impossible to capture the love and admiration he sent out into the world. His strength and kindness is an inspiration for all of us. Doug was strong and determined and always, always fun.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Astoria Banquet Hall (2027 Pegasus Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8C3).
For those who are not able to attend the Celebration, you are also able to watch via LiveStream at either via YouTube or via DaCast or via CalgaryAV and this last one has a password that is Case Sensitive (ChoiceMemorial).
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of Doug, please visit www.choicememorial.com.