FRENCH, Donald Sydney - Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, Donald Sydney French, passed on Monday, March 8, 2021, at the age of 90, peacefully in his home, with his family by his side.
Our father was the ultimate family man, caring friend and professional, Don was always trying to help others. Don is now with his wife Katharine Jean French who passed in 1977 after 22 years of marriage, never to remarry.
He was always happiest surrounded by his children, Katharine, Donna (Chris) and Douglas and daughter-in-law Ann.
The light of his life has been his grandchildren, Janine (James, Gavin, Liam, Mia), Jennifer, Lisa (Aaron), Vicki, Samantha and Rachel (Chantelle), and great-grandchildren Gabriella (Gabby), Brayden, Blake and Deshawn. Quality family time was the most important thing to our father and only on occasion would he shut off his hearing aids on purpose.
Don was born in Hamilton, Ontario, to Sydney and Alice French (deceased) and was the middle sibling to Eileen (Lloyd) Lowe (deceased) and William (Bill) (Esther) French. Brother-in-law to Don (deceased) and Mary Catherine Clarke, Harry and Elva Clarke (deceased).
He was loved by many nieces and nephews.
He was also very active in the United Church and considered his friends there as extended family.
We would like to send a special thank you to Ruth and Veronica for looking after him so well for all these years. You have become an adopted part of his family.
Thanks to all the friends and support from St. Mark's United Church, the wonderful meals, phone calls and visits that made him so very happy. Don/Dad/Poppa/Brother/Uncle will be greatly missed but his footprint has been large by loving his family and friends always, living by example, hard-working, always caring for others and trying to make a difference at everything he did at home, church and work that will be carried on by all of us who have had the pleasure to get to know him. Don was very passionate about the Church and helping others.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark's United Church in memory of Don French, 115 Orton Park Road, Scarborough, Ontario M1G 3G9, 416-439-8623 (donations will go towards improving accessibility to the facility) or alternatively to a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
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