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Daniel Thomas Reynolds Obituary
Daniel T Reynolds (“T for Trouble”) passed away Feb 17, 2025, probably in the early hours, and was found tucked in his bed in the morning. He was 63 years old. His real middle name may be Thomas, not Trouble, but he wouldn’t verify that if you asked.
Growing up, Dan was always a vibrant person who was a magnet for fun. He was the life of every party, central to everything that was ever going on, and a close friend to so many. He was the 4th of 5 children, and kept his parents, Pat and Brian Reynolds, and his siblings, Ann, Darlene, Sean, and Michael, on their toes.
In 1983, at the age of 22, Dan was an accomplished artist, and a promising landscape architecture student at the University of Guelph. His life changed drastically after a severe acquired brain injury that Fall. After the accident, he lived 41 bonus years of quality, joyful, laugh-filled life, thanks to the exemplary and dedicated caretaking by his family.
His incredible mother, Pat (he affectionately and teasingly called her “Pat the Rat”) was a crucial part of his care and support until she passed away in 2002. After his release from hospital in 1987 his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Mike Lanigan cared for him full-time in their family home for 38 years, along with four of their own children, Brendan, Corrin, Beth, and Patrick. He also had a myriad of wonderful aide providers helping over the years who became dear friends of both Dan and of the family.
Dan had complex and full care needs, but for the most part, he was blissfully unaware of his limitations – which was a blessing. He was more mobile in his wheelchair (and out) than you’d imagine for someone who couldn’t walk, and stronger than you’d think for half his body being paralyzed.
Dan was verbal as well – a little too verbal sometimes, with a quick wit combined with damage to the inhibition parts of his brain. He was full of personality and ‘piss and vinegar’, physically and mentally.
He was great company. His sense of humour had his family in stitches constantly. Dan’s philosophical bent had those around him pondering the meaning of life all the time, and the unparalleled mixture of both humour and uncanny wisdom (usually at the same time) was a gift. “Do you know what I know that you don’t know?” “Big deal!” “Do you know what D-O-G is backwards?”
He was the best teacher for living in the present, because his brain damage and associated memory issues meant he lived moment to moment. He taught us to keep moving forward in life and leave the past behind. He was funny, fun, odd, mischievous, sweet, and irreverent, in all the best ways. We have countless stories of his antics over the years. When he fell from the sky, when he ended up “calm, cool, and collected” with hypothermia, when told the entire church congregation what he really thought at that moment.
Dan loved animals and children (especially babies – we will never forget the gentle whisper “it’s a miracle” he said when he held his first great niece). He loved funny t-shirts, funny hats, funny toys, pretty women, playing catch, putting things on his head, hiding stuffed animals behind him in his wheelchair, teasing people, reading magazines, and thumb wars.
Our hearts are broken. His health was declining, and his body was weakening, but we didn’t expect him to go this soon. He dodged death so many times and always showed us how much he loved his life and wanted to be here – it seemed like he would always keep dodging.
His immediate family, his amazing care team, his extended family of loving Aunts, Uncles, cousins, relatives, and so many friends over the years – his whole community – will miss him so incredibly much.
There will be a Celebration of Life in the Spring open to everyone. Dan loved a party. All are welcome. More information to come.
Condolences to the family directly, or here on this site are welcome. We encourage you to please also share your memories and stories of Uncle Dan. He lived life so fully in his own way, and we want to keep his personality and humour and life at the forefront of our minds as we grieve for him.
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September 30 1961
February 17 2025
Death notice for the town of: Waterdown, Province: Ontario
death notice Daniel Thomas Reynolds September 30 1961
February 17 2025
obituaries notice Daniel Thomas Reynolds September 30 1961
February 17 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Daniel Thomas Reynolds September 30 1961
February 17 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
