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Donald Leslie MCMANUS

1932 - 2020

BORN

1932

DIED

2020

Donald MCMANUS Obituary

DONALD LESLIE MCMANUS August 30, 1932 - February 24, 2020 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend Don McManus in his 88th year at Michael Garron Hospital. Predeceased by his wife, the late Marie Pendleton. Don will be sorely missed by his many good friends in the performing arts community including Walt Mitze of Mt. Vernon, NY, Richard Liss, Gary Relyea, Racheal McCaig and Lianne Ritchie and Jackie Ritchie. Don was a brilliant raconteur engaging everyone with his stories and anecdotes no matter how evocative they might be. A devoted cat and dog lover as witnessed by anyone walking by his house with their beloved pet, he was the heart of his community of Leslieville which would honour him with a street celebration on his birthday every year. Don had a very successful 60 year career as an actor and singer, starting in 1950 in his hometown of Vancouver. He went on to perform operatic bass roles for 20 years with The Canadian Opera Company and performed on stages across Canada including at the Royal Alex, Rainbow Stage, Charlottetown Festival as well as in Australia and Britain. When necessity called, he was pressed into service as a conductor, stage manager, technical director, set designer and constructor, company manager and director - he was a true man of the theatre. In his early years, Don performed in many live productions on the CBC network and later in a variety of roles in film and television. To anyone who has known him, Don was larger than life. His generosity to his friends knew no bounds and he leaves behind wonderful memories for all. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring.

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Published by The Globe and Mail from Feb. 27 to Mar. 2, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald MCMANUS

3 Entries

mary gangur

November 19, 2021

I lived across the street from Don for 11 years. He greeted me immediately upon my arrival on Hiltz Avenue and my very young daughter and I adored him immediately. He was always there when I needed a friend or hero. Mostly hero. When we moved away, I always stopped by to visit and he as well at my new home. This continued on for years. We never lost touch. During the past two years I went through so many challenges...so many. I wasn't able to visit and I was going to call Don today, November 19, 2021 but felt the need to visit the obituaries and found out that my dear, beautiful Don had passed. I'm so heartbroken. I truly loved that wonderful man and when I visited he always belted out a song. What a beautiful voice. Best memory ever.......During the blackout in 2003, my muffler was gone and the whole neighbourhood could hear me coming home. I pulled into the driveway and proceeded to find every candle to light up the house and my daughter Morganna told me there was a man under my car. It was Don checking out my muffler. The entire city was in a blackout and here's Don doing his thing, helping out a needy person with my whole driveway lit up with battery lights so he could see the damage. He fixed my muffler without electrical help albiet he went home to saw a piece of metal and realize he couldn't and did it all my hand. What a man.!! Seriously....he was the bomb. I will love and miss this beautiful man forever.

Susan Keller

June 12, 2021

I am so sorry that I have just recently learned of Don's passing. I first met him at the Charlottetown Festival, and then we worked together in 1970 when we both (along with Bill Braun and many others) toured with the Canadian Opera Company's production of "Orpheus in the Underworld." It was my first professional job, and Don was most supportive; he even let me stay in his apartment when the tour was over, and I had no place yet to live in Toronto. In recent years, he would call periodically, and we would have lovely chats. I saw him on my last trip to Toronto in 2017, and we had coffee and shared reminiscences. I grew concerned a few months ago when I realized how long it had been since we spoke, and I feared he was gone. I'm glad he missed the challenges of COVID and I hope his last days were peaceful. He was a generous, gregarious, talented, and caring person, and my life was enriched by knowing him.

Kira Braun

February 8, 2021

I am so sorry to learn that Don has left us. I spoke to him a couple of years ago ~ he was so wonderful to chat with! We were going to get together, as he said he had stories about my Dad, which I always love to hear.
Pictured below, here he is in "The Spirit of Fundy" with Niki Turofsky, Bill Braun (1939 - 2009), and Gary Relyea. I send my love to all who knew of Don and loved him.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results

Memorial Events
for Donald MCMANUS

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