Don Stoakley, “DJ” to those that knew and loved him, died peacefully on Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 while surrounded by his family at Jessica’s House in Exeter, Ontario.
Donald James Stoakley was born on February 6, 1938, in Galt, Ontario. Don grew up in Islington, attended Burnhamthorpe Collegiate, and went on to McMaster University where he graduated with a degree in History. He was a teacher for 38 years with the Etobicoke Board of Education spending most of his career at Kingsmill Vocational School and Lakeshore Collegiate Institute. He loved teaching so much he continued to teach in Wasaga Beach after he retired!
Don was happily married for 38 years to his soulmate Bev and she wants everyone to know “He was my best friend, a fantastic husband, a true romantic, a great father and step-father, and a friend to everyone he ever met. I loved him so much”.
Don and Bev lived in Bolton for 17 years before retiring to Wasaga Beach. For the last 13 years, they have enjoyed their life in Grand Cove Estates in Grand Bend where Don loved running Texas Horseshoes and other social events at the “Caddyshack”. An avid camper, Don spent many of the happiest summers of his life at Gull Rock Park on Lake Rosseau with friends, family, and, of course, his beloved Bev. As the son of a woodworker, Don enjoyed building things for his 5 grandchildren when they were young. He was always present with a smile and had a fun, positive charm about him wherever he was and whomever he was with.
Don was predeceased by his parents James (Jim) and Dorothy. He is survived by children Douglas (wife Julie; Austin, TX), Andrew (wife Kerri; Niagara Falls, Ont.), and Amy McIntosh (husband Robb; St. Marys, Ont.). Don loved his grandchildren dearly and Sage Stoakley (Ithaca, NY), Owen McIntosh (St. Marys, Ont.), Indiana Stoakley (Niagara Falls, Ont.), Finn Stoakley (Austin, TX), and Callum McIntosh (St. Marys, Ont.) will all miss him. Don was also close to and is survived by, his sister Dianne Teern (Kitchener, Ont.).
Don had a special “thank you” he wanted to give to his physician, Dr. Thornton of Happy Valley Health Team in St. Marys, and the incredible staff and volunteers at Jessica’s House and St. Marys Memorial Hospital. Their care and dedication were exceptional and we are all so thankful for it.
There will be a “Celebration of Don’s Life” on Thursday, November 28th, 2019 in “The Caddyshack” at Grand Cove Estates (70592 Bluewater Hwy, Grand Bend, Ontario, N0M-1T0) from 1-4pm. All are welcome to come and visit and share a story about Don with friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, Bev and the family are asking that donations be made in Don’s honour to St. Marys Healthcare Foundation (stmaryshealthcare.foundation) and/or Jessica’s House Hospice in Exeter, Ontario (www.shhf.on.ca/jessicas-house-hospice-ontario/).
Arrangements are entrusted to M.Box & Son Funeral Home, 183 Broad Street in Parkhill. Please leave a memory or condolence online at www.GilpinFuneralChapel.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Stoakley Don 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Parkhill, Province: Ontario