Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
Don died peacefully on April 25, in the company of those who loved him, well into his 96th year.
Born Donald Laurie King on November 24, 1928 in Saint Catharines, he grew up in Newmarket, Ontario, often playing and working on the farm of Pickering College where he is honorary alumnus. Don earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto (Skule) in 1950 and a Master of Business Administration from Syracuse University in 1953. His working career of 40 years was almost all with the Canadian management consulting firm of Stevenson & Kellogg (now KPMG). Don joined S&K at age 29 and eventually became a partner, while wearing his iron ring proudly.
Don said often that he couldn’t imagine any group of colleagues or any type of work that would give him more challenge, variety, or professional satisfaction. While his adult home was always Toronto, he loved the required travel into small town Ontario, and across Canada and North America. He chaired the Institute of Management Consultants of Ontario in the early 1960s and was instrumental in working to gain official recognition of Certified Management Consultants (CMC) as the professional designation in Canada.
In his spare time, he volunteered for numerous not-for-profit organizations including the YMCA, International Good Fellowship (IGF), University of Toronto, Pickering College, the Anglican Church of Canada, the Canadian Association of Management Consultants, and canvassed for various local, provincial and federal candidates. He donated whole blood more than 150 times and was a loyal donor to multiple charities.
Fond of travel and adventure, with deep admiration for Mother Nature, Don was known to choose a dirt road over a paved one, and rarely became caught up in needing to know his exact destination or his precise location. He quipped that he considered a “no trespassing” sign more of an invitation than a deterrent. He enjoyed hiking various geography around the world, yearning to veer off the beaten track. He had a superb internal compass, and loved how maps embraced both history and the future. Colleagues celebrated his retirement in 1993 by telling stories of how, with Don, a business trip out of town usually entailed some travel adventure rarely anticipated, always ending well.
Don was at ease with people from all walks of life, seeking out new acquaintances wherever he went. Dedicated to maintaining relationships with family and friends throughout his lifetime, Don loyally sent letters, made phone calls, and dropped by. In his later years, he made a point of travelling to share in both the mundane and exciting moments of his children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
Don outlived two loving wives, Mary Louise Moffatt (1960-1961) and Mary Isabelle Durrant (1965-2005); his parents Sanford Walter King and Mary Agnes MacCallum; and his brother Sanford MacCallum King. He is survived by both of his children: Laurel (Jamie) and Bryan (Shelly); by Marilyn, Nancy, Gordon and Laura for whom he was Uncle Donald; and by his four adored grandchildren Cameron, Sophia, Chelsea and Scott Donald.
The family would like to thank all of those who were dedicated to supporting his “life is good” philosophy, especially in the last five years, including dedicated staff at Kensington Gardens and Bitove Method. Immense gratitude to Stacey G, Sharon M and Felisa P for outstanding care and kindness.
A memorial service will be held at Morley Bedford Funeral Home at 159 Eglington Avenue West on Friday, August 9, 2024 at 11 a.m. with a lunch reception to follow. He will be buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery privately with family. Condolences at MorleyBedford.ca.
If Don was speaking to you from the afterlife, he would say to enjoy your life today! Go have an adventure. Plan a trip. Meet a stranger. Take time to appreciate the wonderful things in your life. Donate time and money to a charity that means something to you. Always remember that Life is Good!
2024
Morley Bedford Funeral Services Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
death notice Donald Laurie King
obituaries notice Donald Laurie King
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Laurie King and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
