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Bernard Donlon Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Bernard Robert (Bob) Donlon on October 26, 2022 after a short illness. We cherish all the beautiful memories that we shared together.
Bob was born in Buffalo, New York on September 5, 1931. His father, John Donlon was a builder and architect who moved from Kingston, Ontario to Buffalo, New York. His mother, Margaret Lynch was a pianist. The family moved around from Buffalo to Georgia, to New York City, and then back to Buffalo.
His vocation led him to work in Alabama and Georgia during the height of the civil rights movement, and into one of America's most notorious prisons, Attica. He loved to regale family and friends with stories of his adventures during those years.
In the mid 1960's he started sending stories to Time Magazine, and married his first wife, Jan Fuest. The two moved to Scarborough, Ontario, and taught at a number of high schools. Jan died of cancer in 1992. The couple had no children.
Upon retiring from the Toronto District School Board in 1996 after 27 years of service, Bob became a bon vivant, travelling and chilling out with friends in Canada - as well as at his beloved condo in Fort Lauderdale. While on a trip to Europe in 1999, his friendly manner connected him with a Hamilton couple who mentioned they had a single friend he should meet. That friend soon became his wife.
Bob married Connie (Skrok/Kowalski) Donlon in 2001, and the couple enjoyed over 20 years of love, joy and travel together - particularly with their condo cocktail gang.
Bob leaves behind his 3 beloved step-children, Mitch Kowalski (Yvonne Lai), Ken Kowalski (Susie Kowalski) and Connie Kowalski, along with his cherished 9 step-grandchildren - Maia, Max, Alex, Kyle, Amanda, Dante, Darius, Dominic and Dmitri. He will also be fondly remembered by his American relatives and friends.
All of us will miss his quirky comments, his love of bears, his stories and his quiet presence.
Visitation at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Monday, October 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church (Brant St. at Blairholm Ave., Burlington) on Tuesday, November 1 at 11 a.m. Accessible entrance on Blairholm Avenue. Reception to follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Cancer Society of Canada or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
Bob was born in Buffalo, New York on September 5, 1931. His father, John Donlon was a builder and architect who moved from Kingston, Ontario to Buffalo, New York. His mother, Margaret Lynch was a pianist. The family moved around from Buffalo to Georgia, to New York City, and then back to Buffalo.
His vocation led him to work in Alabama and Georgia during the height of the civil rights movement, and into one of America's most notorious prisons, Attica. He loved to regale family and friends with stories of his adventures during those years.
In the mid 1960's he started sending stories to Time Magazine, and married his first wife, Jan Fuest. The two moved to Scarborough, Ontario, and taught at a number of high schools. Jan died of cancer in 1992. The couple had no children.
Upon retiring from the Toronto District School Board in 1996 after 27 years of service, Bob became a bon vivant, travelling and chilling out with friends in Canada - as well as at his beloved condo in Fort Lauderdale. While on a trip to Europe in 1999, his friendly manner connected him with a Hamilton couple who mentioned they had a single friend he should meet. That friend soon became his wife.
Bob married Connie (Skrok/Kowalski) Donlon in 2001, and the couple enjoyed over 20 years of love, joy and travel together - particularly with their condo cocktail gang.
Bob leaves behind his 3 beloved step-children, Mitch Kowalski (Yvonne Lai), Ken Kowalski (Susie Kowalski) and Connie Kowalski, along with his cherished 9 step-grandchildren - Maia, Max, Alex, Kyle, Amanda, Dante, Darius, Dominic and Dmitri. He will also be fondly remembered by his American relatives and friends.
All of us will miss his quirky comments, his love of bears, his stories and his quiet presence.
Visitation at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME, 485 Brant Street, (one block north of City Hall), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Monday, October 31 from 6 - 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church (Brant St. at Blairholm Ave., Burlington) on Tuesday, November 1 at 11 a.m. Accessible entrance on Blairholm Avenue. Reception to follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Cancer Society of Canada or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Hamilton Spectator on Oct. 29, 2022.
Memories and Condolences
for Bernard Donlon
1 Entry
Jackie Stoddart
October 30, 2022
I remember Bob as a kind, generous volunteer for the Red Cross.
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