JAN FRANS DONKER

April 25,1947 – October 14, 2024 Frans passed suddenly from a compromised heart condition while visiting family in British Columbia. Frans left school at an early age to work in his parents publishing company in the Netherlands, followed by working in bookstores in Nijmegen and in Groningen. In Hamburg and Munich, Germany, he worked in the book production department of publishing companies. Followed by a two-year stint at Dillon's University Bookstore in London, England, before arriving in Canada, where he worked as a college book sales representative visiting Universities from Toronto, East to Newfoundland, and as a trade sales representative for Harper & Row Publishing. His original plan was to stay in Canada for two years, but Frans fell "head over heels" in love with Gini Olthoff, who became his life and business partner in 1971. With twin sons and a daughter all in diapers and next to no financial resources, Frans and Gini opened the first Book City store in Toronto's Annex area in 1976. Over the 48 years, Book City has and continues to be, a landmark in the Toronto book selling community. Loving and adoring husband to Gini; proud father to twin sons, Adriaan (Jessica), Roderick (Lisa), and daughter, Titia (Servaas); and proud grandfather to Robin, Sophia, Theo, Dali and Pico. Survived by brother, Anne; sisters, Annette and Margriet; and 18 nieces, nephews, and their families. Frans lived an exciting and full life, and was extremely thankful for the joy of family and friends and bookselling.