Donald (Don) Benjamin Wood
Surrounded by his loving family, Don passed away peacefully Tuesday January 10th in Toronto at the age of 61.
Don is survived by his devoted wife, Susan Owens; his two cherished daughters: Erin Wood (Kurt Saarloos) and Ashleigh Wood (Adam Marshall); his four adored grandsons: Reid (“Benny”) and Jake Saarloos, Liam and Parker Marshall; the mother of his children, Gail Farrows; his parents, Don Wood Sr and Marilyn Wood; his father-in-law, Bob Owens; and his two step daughters: Lorraine (Graham Dolbear) and Jacqueline (Michael Jankowski). Don was predeceased by his beloved mother, the late Vera Wood.
Born in Toronto on June 24th, 1955, Don was the only child of Donald and the late Vera Wood … the apple of his mother’s eye. Growing up, evidence of Don’s passion for nature, and all things with motors, surfaced early and stuck. Don split his time between Etobicoke and Harris Lake, near Parry Sound. After graduating from high school, Kipling Collegiate Institute, Don honed his expertise with motors/mechanics, be it cars, boats, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, you name it! He was a self-described “motor-head”, which came in handy later in life, when he ran a little car-repair business on the side for a while.
Don was recruited by Metro Toronto Police in 1976. Four years later, he and Gail Farrows were married. Two beautiful daughters followed in quick succession: Erin in ’82, and Ashleigh in ’84. Both girls were treated to the perks of their Dad’s passions for nature: at the cottage on Harris Lake, they swam, boated, ventured off to visit their beloved Nana & Papa at their island cottage nearby. Don took meticulous care of his vehicles and boats. Erin recalls one time when Don had purchased a beautiful new boat, and he insisted that she and Ashleigh take off their shoes before stepping into it. They complied, but, ironically, the boat was attacked by racoons that night and mightily damaged. Don was always big on bonfires, although definitely not a s’mores fan. He would build up the fires on the rocks of the Canadian Shield by the edge of the lake and feel the awe of nature.
Memories of Harris lake include Don and his buddies waterskiing, and come winter-time, ski-dooing & ice-fishing, as nature in all seasons meant the world to Don.
Don had a fondness for rock ’n roll music, especially heavy metal. Erin recalls she and her sister being ”tormented” with Don’s choice of music, as they sat in the back seat of their car, all the way from Mississauga to Parry Sound.
Don was a proud veteran of the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force, who retired at the rank of Detective Sergeant, a decorated officer, after 30 years of service in 2006. He loved the job, the adrenaline rush, and most of all, the many longtime friends he made throughout his career. Always a jokester and an entertaining teller-of-tall-tales, Don loved to regale folks with descriptions of escapades from his time with the force. Some of the stories may, or may not, have been embellished for maximum effect.
Don was a car enthusiast of the first order. He was a member of the Corvette Club, and owned many prized race-cars, vintage cars, trucks & Harleys along the way.
Don enjoyed travel, and saw much of North America from the East coast to California to Arizona to Florida. Don & his wife, Susan, travelled to the “badlands” in the American west and back on Don’s Harley Davidson … an unforgettable adventure.
No question, the pride of Don’s life was his four grandsons. Don loved to play with them, teach them how to ride on the ATVs, boat, swim, explore nature around his Nova Scotia cottage. Don’s eyes would light up, and cheeks flush with excitement, for all holidays associated with the kids … Christmas and birthdays, for certain, but Don was really big on Hallowe’en, too. We have the pics to prove it!
Friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home, 2035 Weston Road (north of Lawrence), Weston, on Sunday January 15th from 2-5 p.m., and Monday January 16th from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m..
A service will be held in the chapel on Tuesday January 17th at 11 a.m.. Interment to follow at St. Philip’s Anglican Churchyard.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.

Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Donald Benjamin Don Wood.source

death notice Donald Benjamin Don Wood – mortuary notice Donald Benjamin Don Wood