Barnett Danson

DANSON, Barnett - The Honourable Barnett J. Danson, P.C., C.C., LL.D; Leg.d'honneur, February 8, 1921 - October 17, 2011. It is with loving memory that the Danson family announces Barney's passing at Belmont House on Monday evening. Devoted husband of Isobel, loving father of Ken (deceased) and Jean, John and Elaine, Peter and Sharon, Tim and Victoria, cherished grandfather of Kate and Matthew, Jeremy, Natasha, Emily, Kimberly, Jeffrey, Elysse, Jake, Adrienne and Sebastian and great grandfather of Annie and Whitney. Barney is remembered by his dear sister Marilyn Farber and brother and sister-in-law Bill and Barbara. His brother Bert and sister-in-law Dot, brother-in-law Earl Farber and brother- in-law and sister-in-law, John and Helen Bull predeceased him. His many nieces and nephews remember him fondly. Barney joined The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served until he was severely wounded, losing the sight in one eye, in the Battle of Normandy. On his return to Toronto with his war bride, Isobel, he joined his family's insurance business before creating his own plastics company, The Danson Corporation. He also served as president of the Society of the Plastics Industry of Canada. Barney held a number of portfolios in the government of Prime Minister Trudeau, the last of which was Minister of National Defense of Canada. He was a member of the Privy Council (P.C.). Barney was decorated with Canada's highest distinction and honour, the Companion of the Order of Canada (C.C.); France's highest distinction and honour, the Chevalier (Knight) of the Order of the Legion of Honour (Leg. D'honneur (Fr.); he also received and Honorary Doctorate of Law (LL.D) from York University; an Honorary degree from the Royal Military College, of which he was a former chancellor; named an Officer of France's Order of National Merit; received the Churchill Society's Award for Excellence in the cause of Parliamentary Democracy; and the Vimy Award of the Conference of Defense Associations from Her Excellency, the Governor General for "a significant and outstanding contribution to the defense and security of our nation and the preservation of our democratic values." Barney was instrumental in the creation of Canada's new national War Museum in Ottawa, and one of the principal founders and creators of Canada's Katimavik youth program. His funeral will be held at Benjamin's Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Avenue West (3 lights west of Dufferin) for service on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. Interment at Holy Blossom Memorial Park, 40 Brimley Road, Scarborough, followed by a reception, hosted by The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada at the Moss Park Armoury 130 Queen Street East from 1 - 3 pm. Shiva will be held from 7 - 9 at 131 Imperial Street from Sunday, October 23 - Tuesday, October 25. The family would like to thank Caryl and Theresa Calderon for their outstanding care and compassion, and Dr. Birmingham and the staff at Belmont House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Barnett Danson Memorial Fund c/o The Benjamin Foundation, 3429 Bathurst Street, Toronto, M6A 2C3, 416-780-0324, www.benjamins.ca for Belmont House, CNIB, and The Queens Own Rifles.