Parcourez la nécrologie de Donald Hindson Saturday January 25th 2025 résidant dans la province Ontario pour le détail des funérailles
With great sadness we announce that Donald Clarence Hindson passed away peacefully in his 93rd year on 25 January 2025 at Campbell House hospice, Collingwood, Ontario, with his daughter Donna at his side. Don’s enormous enthusiasm for life and sly wit only faded in his last hours.
Don was predeceased by his extraordinary & loving wife Mary Christine Robb (Chris), and his best friend & son Robb. He is survived by his daughter & angel Donna (Hindson) Opzoomer and son-in-law Mark Opzoomer, who were affectionately known to each other as “SiL” and “FiL ». Don’s extended family included nieces, nephews and Mark’s three children, all of whom enjoyed his storytelling, kindness and sense of humour.
Don was born on March 1st, 1932, to the late Theo and Stanley Hindson in Timmins, Ontario. He was a northerner at heart and often made it clear! Don graduated as Class President from Timmins High School in 1949 and went on to study at Carleton University, where he played football and skied competitively, graduating with a BA, majoring in English, Psychology & Philosophy. After a brief stint in the Canadian Army, he chose to pursue law school at Osgoode Hall, graduating in 1957.
While at law school, he met the love of his life, Chris, of Markham, then still a farming community. Not a city boy, he joined a law firm in Markham, which became Cattanach Hindson Sutton VanVeldhuizen, where he practiced law for over 60 years and was a force to be reckoned with. Don was a widely recognised expert in planning law and OMB matters, contributing significantly to the commercial development of the Markham Unionville area. Don was appointed King’s Counsel in 1971. Many of Don’s clients became lifelong friends. Don was proud to walk into the office every day to help clients, friends, family and serve his community.
Forever true to his small-town roots, he was generous in his commitment to community and civic matters, including providing local legal aid. Some of his positions included Chairman of Legal Aid for Civil Appeals Metropolitan Toronto, board member of the Police Services Commission, Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors York Region Policy Business Plan, board member Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery, President York North Law Association, Markham Board of Trade 2009 Business Excellence Award, active participant in the Lions Club, and founding member of Markstone Investment Club. His extensive volunteer work culminated with Don being named as the recipient in 2022 of the prestigious Anthony Roman Award which honors an individual who is a community leader and who has been successful in their own business, has helped other companies succeed, and has taken a very active part in contributing to the Markham community.
Don and Chris settled in Markham where Robb and Donna were raised. Later in life they moved to Collingwood to be closer to the outdoor life and their beloved cottage, The Sanctuary, on Lake Rosseau. Don and Chris celebrated over 65 years of wonderful married life. And what a fun life they created for family and friends. They loved to ski, scuba dive, play golf, tennis and travel the world, but their happy place was Sanctuary where Don paddled his red canoe every summer morning until he was 90 years old. Chopping wood, hauling rocks and building “something” were essential activities, until 5pm when cocktail hour became the priority. As a true northerner he maintained his connection with Temagami where his grandfather was Chief Ranger and where the family had a remote island cottage for over 25 years. Don was an avid skier which started with him helping build the Kamiskotia ski club at Mount Jamieson, was also a founding member of the Hidden Valley ski club and later a member of Craigleith Ski Club in Collingwood. Don was an active past president of the Muskoka Lakes Golf and Country Club and member of the Granite club for over 60 years where Chris was a past president.
But what stands out amongst their happiest times was their extensive group of friends. Don and Chris enjoyed entertaining, never shying away from a party theme! They hosted the legendary legal war canoe championships for 10 years at his beloved Lake Rosseau cottage. He was chair of the reunions for his law class for over 50 years.
Don was a great Canadian, a true gentleman, devoted husband, proud father and uncle. Don was selfless, thoughtful and compassionate for others to end – he will long be cherished.
A private service has been held in Collingwood. A celebration of life will be held later in the spring. The family requests no flowers, however if inclined, donations to The Temagami Community Foundation,, specifying the “Robb Hindson Bursary Fund for Education” (in the notes box), which Don chaired for the last five years and as always, brought him great joy in helping others.
Saturday January 25th 2025
Décès pour la Ville:Collingwood, Province: Ontario
avis deces Donald Hindson Saturday January 25th 2025
nécrologie Donald Hindson Saturday January 25th 2025
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Donald Hindson Saturday January 25th 2025 et espérons que leur mémoire pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.