Don Thompson
After a good long life, Don passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023 in his 99th year. Husband for almost 60 years of Lorene nee Baker (predeceased 2008), loving partner of Patricia Anderson, beloved father of Marlene (Richard) Dayman, Bruce (Corless), Joan (Rick) Gerritsen and Kevin (Heather). A well-loved Grandfather to Jamie, Nathan (Laura) and Steve Dayman; Tim (Heather) and Brad Thompson (Jessica), Chrissy (Charles) Lin; Brian (Donna), Doug (Niki), Scott (Ashley) and Dave Gerritsen; Carise (Andrew), Shawna and Shelly Thompson. He was proud great-grandpa to Kyla and Mackenzie Dayman, Liam and Russell Thompson, Hailey, Zoey, Riley, Cole, Tommy and A.J. Gerritsen, and Ella and Zac Lin and great-great-grandfather to Adalyn Sayles. Survived by sister Verna/Susie McDonough (Ivan deceased) and brothers, Ray (Marilyn deceased), and Murray (Dawn). Predeceased by young sister Jean, brother Lloyd (Virginia) and brother Jack (Betty) (and Ann deceased), also in-laws Muriel (Eddie) Hunter, Dorothy (Frank) Norsworthy, Lloyd Baker and Sylvia Baker
Don was a quiet, kind, humble yet witty and generous man with an oft-used warm chuckle who made family, farming, friends and community the centre of his life. He enjoyed a harmless practical joke for a little fun, his early days with friends in the dance halls, Don Messer's Jubilee and Hockey Night in Canada. He took responsibility for his Orkney ancestral farm at age 14, where he lived most of his life, as a pork and chicken farmer, growing grains, corn and apples, also working at Supertest, then Beverly Fuels on the side. A devoted family man, he served his community enthusiastically, and loved to travel in his retirement years between golf games on what was once his Granddad Brown's farm at Duff's Corners. He was a Lifetime member of and 1982 Rockton World's Agricultural Fair President, a 50-year member of I.O.O.F. Lynden Lodge # 259, a 60-year member of Lynden Lions Club and recipient of the prestigious Melvin Jones Award for 50 years of active service to his community and a Lifetime member of West Flamborough Presbyterian Church as a 33-year Church Elder and member of its Board of Managers.
After Lorene's death in 2008, he lived his next decade at Waterdown's Village Manor nearby his beloved new partner Patricia Anderson and her family, Susan, Kathy, David and Jim, enjoying 'breakfast with the boys', weekly euchre and bridge games and dancing to his favourite song, "Tiny Bubbles". Don ended his days under the friendly care of Amica Dundas, before moving to receive excellent care at Wentworth Lodge, Dundas for which his family are grateful. A private Family Graveside service is being held at Mt. Zion Cemetery. ALL are invited to Don's Celebration of Life event on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at the Farm & Home Building, Rockton Fairgrounds between 1:00 - 4:00, with memory-sharing at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations to Lynden Lions Club or West Flamborough Presbyterian Church.
Published online August 22, 2023 in the Hamilton Spectator