EPP, Donald David - With sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Don on May 15, 2020 in Toronto in his 87th year.
Remembered by his beloved wife Phyllis (Windsor), children Heather, Sharon (Norm), Lorraine (Mike), David (Cindy), and brother Gordon (Carol).
Predeceased by parents Edith and Neil, and brother Norman (Eleanor).
Dear grandfather to Brent (Mika), Sarah (Tim), Chelsea (Marc), Anne, Russell, Claire, and great-grandfather to Lenn, Rose and Keito.
Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews.
Born in Toronto, Don attended Leaside High School and received his B.Com. from the University of Toronto. As a young man, he was an avid member of Scouts, camping in the wild areas near Eglinton and Don Mills. He worked summers digging the Toronto subway, and participated in social activities with the young people’s group at church. He travelled across Canada, driving and sleeping in his VW Beetle to participate in Air Force Reserve training in Vancouver; no small feat for a man 6’6”! He met his wife of 62 years at a dance at U of T, and they swept each other off their feet. They settled down and started their family while he was still studying for his CA exams.
As a Chartered Accountant, Don had a successful financial career in major corporations in Canada and the U.S., including Noranda, Celanese, Simmons, B.F. Goodrich and World Vision. His work was a pivotal part of his identity. He and Phyllis made homes, and many close friends, in Windsor, Ohio, Waterloo, Montreal and Toronto.
Don was a faithful member of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. He volunteered there when in Toronto and on many other boards and committees throughout his life. On weekends, he worked on household projects with his family around him. He loved to garden and to build, repair or paint whatever needed it. When the weather was fair, he took the family sailing in his little Albacore. In the evenings, he read, listened to music, and for a while there, smoked his pipe. As a father, Don’s guiding principle was unconditional love and support.
Wherever they were living, returning to the Haliburton area in the summers was a tradition. Don’s family owned a cottage at Balsam Lake, a labour of love that he and his brothers Gord and Norm, along with their parents, built in the 1950s. With Phyllis’s family in Carnarvon, where the little white church in which they were married sits, the family station wagon full of kids would travel north for a week or two. Fascinated by history, Don loved to travel, and he and Phyllis were lucky in that regard with business and personal trips to the UK, Europe, the Caribbean and Hawaii.
In 1985, Don was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and lived with its slowly debilitating effects for the next 35 years. The grace and fortitude he showed during that time amazed and inspired all he came in contact with, and especially in the later, more difficult years, set a fine example of how to maintain purpose and love of life despite a steadily declining physical capacity. Don and Phyllis were fortunate to spend their later years together, side by side, even in long term care. Supporting each other, reading together, staying connected with family in person and virtually, they celebrated their Diamond anniversary there in sparkling style.
The family would like to thank the caring and courageous staff at The Village of Humber Heights, Etobicoke who looked after Don in his final weeks during the global pandemic.
A private graveside service will be held. We will celebrate Don’s life together properly when it is safe to do so.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MS Society of Canada.
{fastsocialshare