BALLANTYNE, Donald Lindsay Ballantyne

It is with love and profound gratitude for a life well lived that we announce the peaceful passing of our father, Donald Lindsay Ballantyne, on the morning of March 5th, 2026, at Hyland Crest Retirement Home. Don was born to Reginald and Mae Ballantyne April 26, 1937, in Regina, Saskatchewan. The family soon after moved to Toronto, where his sister, Jean, was born. Don spent his early years developing a love for cottage country, hunting and fishing with his best friend Robert Willson, and cheering on his beloved hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. But his world was forever changed when he met the love of his life, Nancy.

Don and Nancy were married Oct 5, 1960, in East Kilbride, Scotland. They had four children, Rob, Jane, Linda and John and eventually settled in Scarborough. He had a thriving career that had him employed with General Electric, General Foods, GSW and Standard Modern Technologies. He steadily worked his way up through corporations and was part of many innovations, including restaurant chains like The Crock and Block and even the creation of peach flavoured Jello and Pop Rocks. Later in his career, he and Nancy opened Aquarium Services pet stores in Hamilton.

But more than anything, our dad was defined by his enthusiasm for leisure activities. An avid sports enthusiast, he loved hockey, curling, golf, fishing and hunting. He instilled these passions in his children, managing hockey teams, curling in family bonspiels and, of course, taking them fishing… insisting each kid was given their own fishing rod at the age of 10. He taught us that if you caught a “keeper” you were responsible for cleaning it and that the fish were biting best when it rained. This we learned at 7 am one rainy morning… as he stayed in bed.

The cottage was his special place. Little Canning Lake was his version of heaven… and it grew to be ours as well. He loved the cottage life and noted each time he left to go back to the city that the sun was on the rocks– begging him to stay. He’d say, “One day I’ll retire up at the cottage”. In time, he and Mum finally realized their dream and retired up north to Little Canning Lake. Dad and Mum took to the Minden life with ease. They joined the Minden Curling Club, were active members of Minden United Church, formed bridge clubs and forged strong friendships with many locals. They were living their best life.

Perhaps Dad and Mum’s greatest source of pride and joy were the happy marriages of all four children… which in turn gave them their 12 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren. They loved their grandkids and loved even more hearing about the trials and tribulations each one brought to their parents. Typical of Dad, on their 10 th birthdays he gave each a fishing rod. He also insisted on taking all the grandchildren to Disney World where they were to meet the “other woman in his life” — Minnie Mouse. These magical moments inspired unique generational relationships and fueled many classic Grampa stories from the kids.

The years marched on and when the cottage surroundings became unsafe in their later years, Dad and Mum moved into a condo on Head Lake in Haliburton but insisted the cottage still be available to the family. Ultimately the two ended up in Hyland Crest
Long-term Care where Mum continues to reside. And of course, on Dad’s final day of life, with a spectacular sunset, the sun was on the rocks.

Don is survived by his wife Nancy, children Rob (Sarah Wood), Jane (John Macpherson), Linda (Jim Kinney) and John (Linda Hutton), his grandchildren Sarah (Chris Woodward), Lauren (Ben Sadowski), Brian, Madeline, Shea, Jackie, Mark, Ben, Sam, Arden, Jack and Ray, and great-grandchildren Emma, Brady, Alice and Theo.

A private family memorial for Don will be held this summer at Little Canning Lake. Special thanks to the kind and caring staff at Hyland Crest Long-term Care. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Minden Food Centre and can be arranged through the Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd., P.O. Box 427, Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0. Effective October 6, 2025 “Copyright Notice” © 2025@copyright Gordon A. Monk Funeral Home Ltd. Reproduction of this death notice in whole or in part and picture(s) is strictly prohibited without expressed consent.