Donald Herbert SIMPSON

Donald Herbert Simpson, a lifelong fan and resident of Toronto, born May 4, 1928, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024, at the age of 96. The man in the woods, the man behind the calculator and stock checker, forever at work, has laid down his tools and is at peace. At his death, he was a dad, uncle, grandfather, cousin, investment buddy, friend, and force of nature. Don lived an incredible life. His tough start in life shaped him into a forcefully independent, proud, frugal, creative, handy, stubborn, and hardworking man. Don lived through the Depression, lost his dad at age 11, and had necrotizing fasciitis that caused him to miss grade 5 and live with one leg shorter than the other. His uncle, Dr. Earl Steele, saved his leg, and his uncle, Harland Steele, stepped in as Don's father figure and lifelong hero. Don had incredible stories about growing up, his Riverdale High School buddies and football team, the brickyard and the coal company, working on the farm and in the logging camp, building the cottage from scratch, his uncle the famous architect, working at Control Data and Unilever, his lottery business and, of course, the Olympic Trust of Canada. This is where his proudest career achievement was found as he travelled the world and raised funds to help Canadian athletes. Don loved the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canadian art, animals (especially cows and dogs), woodworking, the cottage, anything cherry flavoured, his mother's recipes, Mickey Mouse, trees (both cutting them down and drawing them), his buddies from the coffee club and the Donway, Shopify and the stock market in general. Over the years, Don was deeply saddened by the passing of his brother, Harland, and sister-in-law, Jean, almost all his childhood friends, and even more recent buddies. He outlived them all. We believe that is why he requested no funeral service be held. The recent loss of his beloved, talented, creative son, Michael, of whom he was so proud, proved to be the final blow. In the end, his heart gave up both literally and figuratively. Dad was blessed to have had so many caring, wonderful people in his life who brought him joy and gave him so much kindness, especially in his later years, including his beloved nieces, nephews, their partners, children of his childhood friends, his cousins, loyal friends, and wonderful and dedicated caregivers. Thank you for the light you brought to his life. Dad's ashes will be interred alongside his cherished mother and father (Verna Mildred (nee Steele) and Harold Simpson) and my brother, Michael. His vibrant personality, enthusiasm, and open-minded curiosity about the world made him an irreplaceable figure in the lives of those who knew him. In his memory, please do an act of kindness for a senior or plant a tree. Dad, thank you for the years of support and love. You are deeply missed. Love Michelle