John B. PURDY

JOHN B. (DON) PURDY
B. Com., M. Com., CFA
September 26, 1926 - April 26, 2014
Don passed away peacefully at Kensington Gardens in Toronto on Saturday, April 26th, surrounded by his family. He will be deeply missed by Sheila, his beloved wife of 37 years, his sons David (Kathy) and Mike (Barb) and his daughter Susan (Gabriola, British Columbia). Proud grandfather to Fawn, Matt, Thomas and Suzy, and great-grandfather to Venice and Cadence.
Don attended UTS before enrolling at U of T (Victoria College), where he completed his Bachelor of Commerce in 1947, followed by his Masters degree. In 1965, he became one of the first Canadians to qualify as a Chartered Financial Analyst.
He had a long and successful career as an investment executive in the life insurance industry, including 40 years at Imperial Life, where he was Senior Vice President, Investments. He thoroughly enjoyed his working life, and kept busy until he was almost 70 with board positions and a second career with Crown Life, where he pursued his interest in venture capital.
Don was well respected in the Toronto financial community and was always pleased to give his time to professional organizations, including serving as president of the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts and the Toronto Ticker Club. He also contributed his expertise to many worthwhile community organizations, from Victoria College, where he served as Treasurer and on the Board of Regents, to the Family Service Association of Metropolitan Toronto and the United Way, both as a volunteer and a seconded executive.
Don had a lifelong passion for Toronto, its history and its potential as it grew into a major multicultural city. He kept busy well into his late seventies, working for the recognition and preservation of historical buildings as Chair of the Toronto & East York Preservation Panel.
Outside of work, Don was an avid curler for many years at the Toronto Cricket Club. He enjoyed summers in Prince Edward Island and genuinely loved travel and the idea of exploring places for the first time. And he loved to walk - whether it was hiking on the Bruce Trail, or just around town. Don and Sheila shared a great affection for animals, and Don will be dearly missed by their duck tolling retriever, Ceilidh.
Although the last few years were a physical challenge for Don, he never lost his friendly manner or his quick wit. The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at Kensington Gardens for their unfailingly compassionate care.
Friends of the family are invited to attend a memorial service for Don on Tuesday, May 6th, 2 p.m. at Morley Bedford Funeral Home, 159 Eglinton Avenue West (2 lights west of Yonge St.) There will be a visitation one hour before the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and a reception afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to either the United Way, the Toronto Humane Society (torontohumanesociety.com) or the Arthritis Society (arthritis.ca) would be appreciated.
He was well respected in the Toronto financial community and Don gave generously of his time and expertise to both professional and community organizations.