Donald Gordon Hallford
February 26, 1927 – June 12, 2020
Peacefully passed in his 94th year in the home of his daughter, Pat, and his son-in-law Scott, in St. Catharines. Many thanks from the family to Pat and Scott. Your sacrifice did not go unnoticed.
Don was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Frederick and Pauline Hallford, joining his older sister Marion and brother Murray, and followed four years later by the arrival of sister Eleanor. Don attended Allenby Public School, followed by North Toronto Secondary School. The family attended Castlefield Baptist Church. It was during these years that they endured the Great Depression, then World War Two. His older brother served in the RCAF as a fighter pilot, but the war ended before Don could enlist. The Hallfords had a cottage on the shores of Lake Simcoe, at Big Cedar Point, and many family memories were created there. The youngest sister, Eleanor, and her husband Al, own the cottage now, carrying on the tradition.
Fred Hallford sold explosives for CIL for 48 years, often taking Don on overnight sales trips. Don chose the University of Toronto to continue his education, deciding to apply to the forestry department, as had his close friend, Frank. The office was closed for lunch, so Don went into the Architectural department and was accepted to the six year program. He successfully earned his Bachelor’s degree as an Architect. As a graduate, Don worked for several years in Toronto under the mentorship of an experienced Architect, and was involved with establishing the architectural program at Ryerson Institute of Technology (now Ryerson University). Over the ensuing years, Don would be instrumental in designing many wonderful homes, as well as schools, offices, fire stations and much more.
It was during this time that he met his future wife, Marianne Cunningham, who happened to work for the brother of his boss, in the office next door. After a courtship, as it was called, and meeting each other’s families, Don proposed marriage to Marianne, but the answer was “No”. Three months later, he proposed again, and happily, this time the answer was “Yes”! They were married on June 19, 1953 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and set out on life’s journey together. And what a journey! Years later, Don was asked in an interview by a grade seven class what he liked about his wife. He said, “I love everything about my wife. In my world, she is perfect”.
While living in Toronto, their first son, Stephen John, arrived on May 17, 1954. It was during this time that Don decided to set up his own architectural firm in Oakville, Ontario, with a fellow architect named Don Wilson, forming Hallford & Wilson Architects, at 139 Thomas Street, Oakville. Don and Marianne purchased two acres of land bordering Appleby College on Birch Hill Lane and built their first house, designed by Don. On December 29, 1956, their second son, Bruce Charles, arrived, and on March 10, 1959, their third son, Ian Gordon, joined this busy family. Several years later, the family would see one more important addition, the arrival of Patricia Lynn on November 9, 1968.
In the years 1957, 1958 and 1959, Don and his father, Fred, searched the newly opened up lakes in Muskoka for Crown land, which was being sold for cottage properties. In 1959, Don and Marianne’s bid for an island lot was accepted and they began building their family cottage in 1960. Go Home Lake became as important to the Hallford family as Oakville was. Don designed and built that first cottage with the willing help of family, and over the years, the construction continued and two more cabins were added. The cottage is still in the family to this day, now owned by Ian and Irene. The cottage was everyone’s happy place, with boating, water sports and campfires being just a few of the many favourite activities. Everyone in the vicinity would hear Don when he went swimming, always going in backwards, and making it sound like he was doing a polar plunge! Great fun for sure. His designated assignment for water skiing was always driver and it brought him great joy.
Don and Marianne were dedicated members of Central Baptist Church, located at Rebecca Street and Morden Road, since moving to Oakville. Don designed the original sanctuary and it was built in 1957. The addition was also designed by Don, added in 1972. Don always served quietly in the background, never wanting attention for his contributions. So it was with most of his volunteer work, teaching Sunday School at Central, helping out at the Syl Apps Centre, sitting on the board of the VON or serving at the Kerr Street Mission, as well as the many church boards Don served on.
The family grew over the years to include Steve (Nancy), Bruce (Ziggy), Ian (Irene) and Pat (Scott). Once again, as with Grandma’s passing, we asked each of the grandchildren to use one word to capture Grandpa. Here they are, in capitals. Grandpa was undoubtedly a WISE man, very DEVOTED to his wife of 67 years, as well as to his family and friends. He was a TRUE GENTLEMAN, quiet in many ways but with the ability to surprise you by being RAMBUNCTIOUS while playing a board game, usually at the cottage. Because he was WISE, he was willing to share his wisdom as our SAGE, with those desiring to become WISE. But he was HUMBLE and wouldn’t have seen himself as one. Grandpa was a SOFTHEARTED and LOYAL man, and as you can tell, WISE. He was our GENTLE GIANT.
Grandpa was loved and admired by his grandchildren, Emily (Albert), Erin (Stephen), Ryan (Ali), Andrea (Ashwin), Sandra (Ewen), Christopher, Michael (Susan), Daniel, Nicole, Chandler (Erin), Jennelle (Ricky) and Leah (Hannah), and his great grandchildren, Callie, Isla, Joshua, Orion, Vivian, Griffin, Autumn, Aurora and Lionel.
A celebration of life for Don and Marianne will take place as soon as circumstances permit. In lieu of flowers, donations to Central Baptist Church, Oakville, or Kerr Street Mission, Oakville, would be greatly appreciated.
February 26 1927 June 12 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Donald Gordon Hallford February 26 1927 June 12 2020..
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
Décès pour la Ville: Oakville, Province: Ontario