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Deacon Alistair Michael Sutherland (1926 – 2024)
Passed away peacefully in his sleep, in Hamilton, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the age of 98 years. Reunited in Heaven with Dora (née St. Juste), his beloved wife for 69 years. Loving father to John Sutherland (Trish) and Dawn Sutherland. Proud grandfather of Tyler (Alex) and Jordan (Michelle), and great-grandfather of Lily (daughter of Jordan and Michelle). Predeceased by his sister-in-law, Dora’s twin sister, Dorothy Pantin (Mervyn), by his siblings, Percival (Doreen), Ian (Yvonne), Beatrice (Henry), Cecily (Eric), and Joan (Albert), and his parents, Norman Sholto Lewis Sutherland and Beatrice Alexandria Bertha Sutherland (née Dupigny).
Alistair led a very full and diverse life. He was born in St. Lucia, and at the age of 18, won an academic scholarship to attend university in Canada in 1945. His sharp intellect graced the halls of both Dalhousie University in Halifax and McGill University in Montreal where he studied Architecture and Engineering. Tucked in between, was a stint working at a pulp mill in Temiskaming, a small town in northwestern Quebec located on the Ontario-Quebec border. Dora emigrated from St. Lucia to Canada in 1954 to marry Alistair whom she had known from childhood. In the 1950s, Alistair worked in the aerospace industry at Avro Canada. He worked in procurement and was a member of the team that developed the groundbreaking CF-105 Arrow, known as the Avro Arrow. This fighter jet boasted leading-edge technology and clocked Mach-2 speeds. When the Arrow project was cancelled in 1959, many of Alistair’s colleagues were hired by NASA and were instrumental in the Apollo 11 mission (first humans to land on the Moon). Alistair pursued his love of aviation as a purchasing manager at Avian Aircraft in Georgetown, Ontario. That company invented the first-of-its-kind gyroplane. Alistair continued his academic studies at University of Toronto, earning a Certificate in Business in 1970. During the 1970’s he taught several purchasing management courses at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. He continued working in procurement for a plastics injection moulding company that supplied parts to the automotive industry until his “retirement” in 1991. Alistair then became an entrepreneur for a decade, co-owning the wine store, Grape & Hop Shoppe, with Dora.
Alistair also pursued several hobbies and volunteer work. In the 1960s and 1970s, he tried his hand at acting and was a member of the Georgetown Little Theatre where his favourite role was playing Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He also sang (tenor) in the choir at Holy Cross parish in Georgetown, Ontario. In the 1990s, in Midhurst, Ontario, he was president of NOSEW (North Simcoe Environmental Watch), a non-profit involved in helping to protect the Alliston Aquifer which scientists have designated as the purest water on the planet. In the 2000s, he led a weekly ecumenical discussion group. Alistair also loved his wildflower garden in Midhurst, and he and Dora would often venture along nearby country roads in search of new specimens.
He was an avid outdoorsman with a particular fondness for camping and canoeing with Dora, Dawn, John, and Daisy Belle (our beloved dog), as well backcountry canoe-camping with John, Tyler, and Jordan. Thanks to Alistair, everyone learned to paddle, build a campfire, and wield an axe.
Alistair also had a keen interest in science, whether reading about UAPs (Unexplained Aerial Phenomena), visiting museum exhibits on the Dead Sea Scrolls and Leonardo da Vinci, or witnessing the aurora borealis and recent solar eclipse.
In addition to working, hobbies, volunteering, raising two children, and doting on his wife, Alistair answered the call of God and served as a Deacon in the Archdiocese of Toronto since 1980. His oratory skills were legendary: a favourite activity was being a lector at Sunday Mass.
All along the way he cultivated a great many friends, and his kind and tender nature touched the hearts of all who he met.
In spite of Alistair’s health setbacks over the past year, his indomitable spirit remained strong. He was a favourite patient wherever he went. A special thank you to the countless staff, PSWs, nurses, and doctors in Hamilton who supported Alistair on his health journey, specifically Karen Whitwell (Care Coordinator, Ontario Health at Home), Amica Stoney Creek, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Juravinski Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital, Hamilton General Hospital, and Idlewyld Manor. Very special and heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Michael Savatteri, Alistair’s primary care physician, who made house calls, provided after-hours advice and support, and was an ardent advocate for Alistair to receive the best possible medical care.
Alistair will be sadly missed here but will join his many friends and family members behind the pearly gates, making his famous breakfast porridge and debating the existential meaning of life.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, 304 Highway 8, Stoney Creek, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. After the service family and friends are invited to a celebration of his life at Amica Retirement Community, 135 King Street East, Stoney Creek (905-664-8444).
In the spirit of the way Alistair led his life and treated others, in place of flowers, he would want everyone to perform a genuine gesture of kindness towards a friend, family or stranger while remembering him.
Arrangements entrusted to SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, STONEY CREEK (905-664-4222). www.smithsfh.com
Wednesday October 16th 2024
Death notice for the town of: , Province: Ontario
death notice Alistair Michael Sutherland Wednesday October 16th 2024
obituaries notice Alistair Michael Sutherland Wednesday October 16th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Alistair Michael Sutherland Wednesday October 16th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
