Dad was born on Victoria Street in Dundas and has lived in town his whole life. For 38 years, he was married to Shirley Joan (née Pyett), until her death on June 22nd, 2003. He is survived by his grieving sons, Paul (at home), and Thomas (Toronto) & his wife Joanna. Their children, Lindsay, Emma, and Jacob were the lights of his life. Remember that Grandpa’s love will never die.
Don was a teacher and principal at Caistor School #5 (one-room school – Shirley was at #6), Central Public Dundas, University Gardens Dundas, Fessenden Ancaster, Dundana Dundas, Balaclava-Victoria Carlisle, and Millgrove. His students sought him out and brought their kids and grandkids to meet Mr. Chappel. Dad’s staff at University Gardens (1965-1972) still get together when they can; it is a very tight and loving family.
A life member of St. Paul’s United Church, Dundas (and choir). We want to thank Rev. Jim Cairney for his faithful visits that have meant so much. In his retirement, Dad served as organist at Rock Chapel United Church, and St. George’s Reformed Episcopal Church, Hamilton. At Rock Chapel he founded and led his Kazoo Choir which involved about half the congregation. It was amazing. He played for and sang with the Afternoon Singers seniors’ choir. For over 50 years, Don was very active in and served as organist for the Valley Lodge A.F.& A.M. No. 100 and was a Distinguished Recipient of the William Mercer-Wilson Medal. He was also organist for Temple Lodge No. 324.
Predeceased by his sister, Betty, Don is survived by his brother- and sisters-in-law Lloyd & Phyllis Pyett and Margaret Pyett, and his cousin Douglas & Heidi Mawson. Dad loved his nieces and nephews very much, and enjoyed seeing them, even when it was many years between visits.
He leaves too many friends to name, but Lenore Castle, Warren & Joyce Gedcke, Rod & Joan Jeffress, Cecil & Gladys Hamilton, Judy Smith, John & Gillian Ferns, Marilyn dePass, Joan Morris, Gerry Magnish, and his niece Pauline Wright were especially close. Neighbours were always special to Dad: Brigitte & Ziggy, Andy, Michelle, Rob, John, Mike & Maureen and especially their sons Erik & Ryan who meant the world to him. Paul’s great friend Ryan Jackson, and Scott Lehane were also loved very much by Dad.
Dad will rest at the Turner Family Funeral Home, Dundas, on Friday, March 31st from 3-6 pm followed by the Masonic Memorial Service. A Funeral Service will be on Saturday, April 1st at 1 pm; Paul will officiate and it will be live-streamed (turnerfamilyfuneralhome.ca). Reception to follow at St. Paul’s United Church, 29 Park Street West. Dad didn’t want people to feel they had to dress in dark, formal clothing, so please wear what you like. Interment will be Monday, April 3rd at 10:30 am at Grove Cemetery, Dundas.
Memorial donations in Donald’s honour, if wished, to the Royal Canadian College of Organists, or, as Dad did so often, take a friend out to dinner, or give some money to a friend in need. Dad was a life-long giver who found it incredibly difficult to accept others’ time and help, but their love he always cherished.
Peacefully at home, on March 25, 2023, in his 82nd year, Peter entered into the presence of his faithful Lord and Saviour. Predeceased by his cherished wife Nell in 2005, and two precious grandsons, Byron Kloetstra in 2006 and Warren Dendekker in 2015. Beloved father of Audrey and Jim Koopman, Sheryll and Rick Kloetstra, Lorraine and Matt Hirst, Cyndi and Ed Laman, Peter and Sandra Dendekker, David and Cheryl Dendekker. Treasured grandfather of 29 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Special Uncle to Joleen and Richie McKinstry and family. Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, March 30 from 6-9 p.m. at Maranatha Free Reformed Church, 1114 Old Mohawk Road, Ancaster. Private funeral and interment to follow. Donations to Peace Haven gratefully accepted.
“I trusted in Thee O Lord, I said Thou art my God. My times are in Thy hands.” Taken from psalm 31
Raynsford, Ashley Laureane – Suddenly at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Saturday, March 25, 2023, in her 33rd year. Loving partner to Corey Cunningham, and loving daughter to Michael and Wilma Raynsford. Ashley will be sadly missed by her sister Marissa and her boyfriend Jordan, her aunts and uncles Mark and Nadine and Lisa and Tim, her cousins Billy, Emily, Tricia and Tracey, and by all her Jamaican family. Predeceased by her grandparents Pat and Bob Raynsford. Friends will be received by the family on Wednesday afternoon and evening from 2-4 & 6-8 at the Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, where the Service for Ashley will be held Thursday at 11 o’clock. Cremation has taken place. Donations to the SPCA in Ashley’s memory would be appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank all the staff of the ICU at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Christina Docherty was born July 12 in1939, UK, a dark and threatening time. Money was scarce but there was singing in her family home. Light entered through song.
Christina, who usually went by Chris, or Mrs. G to her children’s friends, grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and married James Patrick Gentle. They had one child, Sally, then another, James, before crossing an ocean to Canada, then the U.S., then back to Canada again. A third child, Irene, arrived in those travelling years.
There was singing in this family home, and books. Christina bestowed the joy of reading to her children, so they grew up roaming universes. In time books became her work, at the Brampton Library. A supporter of libraries to the last, a new stack entered her home the day she went to the hospital, the first in decades to go unread.
She learned to swim, dunking her head underwater for the first time in her 40s. It’s one thing to do this as a child, as an adult it’s an act of will. Those same years presented the need to drive a manual transmission. One glorious crash through the garage into the living room later, she nailed it.
An avid follower of sports and current events, she had a thought on pretty much anything. Don’t like my opinion? No problem, I have another, she’d say. And she did.
Generally practical, she nonetheless placed onions on our childhood staircases to ward off, well, who can say, really. Her leaning toward justice showed sometimes strangely, such as the head of a pro-democracy leader cut from a magazine that stared valiantly up at us for months.
She had adventures, separating from James in her 50s, moving to Nova Scotia in her 60s, before being pulled back to Ontario to be closer to her children.
She had joys, primarily her beloved grandchildren Amanda and Alyssa Drew and Charles Wallace Gentle. Her warm, kindred relationship with son-in-law Matt Jackson, her enjoyment at sharing the wonder of science and space with son-in-law Raymond Drew. And clocks. So many clocks, mostly noisy, timed a minute or so off from each other so whirs, cuckoos and gongs chime forever. She loved sparkle, glitter that cuts through dark, like her pure, unconstrained laugh.
She had sadness. The infinite loneliness that comes from being far from the country and family she was raised in. The loss of her parents, Chrissie and Harry Docherty, the loss of her brother, also Harry Docherty, and finally, most excruciatingly, of her treasured son Jim in October 2022. Her world dimmed. It was again a dark, threatening time.
She fell ill in March. Illness was new to her. She faced it, books and music at her bedside like guardians, with characteristic curiosity and courage, more incredulous than scared. I’ve had a good life, she said. I’ve no regrets, I feel lucky.
She died suddenly and unexpectedly on a day of soft rain in the same hospital her son had died in less than six months before her, their unbreakable bond made eternal.
Her loss tears wider and deeper the gap in our universe. She is fiercely missed by all mentioned above as well as Brenda Docherty, Claire, Robert, Kate, Sarah and their lovely families; Chantal Ayotte (predeceased by Jim Gentle); Ann Sachuk (predeceased by Nick Sachuk, Patrick and Jean Gentle); all who knew her as Mrs. G; her former library colleagues and more.
She encouraged us to enjoy every moment and be kind to ourselves and others. She requested no service but was always up for a song. She’d sing if she knew the words, and clap along. That’s how light enters.
Do not grieve for me, for now I’m with my beloved wife Gloria of 74 years. Passed peacefully with Christine and Stephen by his side at St. Peter’s on Monday morning, March 20, 2023. Born in Cooks Creek, Winnipeg to parents Agnes and Joseph. Loving father to Pauline (Terry – predeceased), Christine (Rick), Peter (predeceased), Mark (Christina) and Stephen (Leigh). Proud Papa to Michael, Bradley, Lisa, Leslie, Vanessa, Jack, Wyatt, Breanna and much loved great-grandpa to Aden, Ripley, Tyler, Kyle, Payton, Carley, Reed and Nolan. Loved brother-in-law Gerry (Bernice – predeceased). Loved brothers Kasmer, Julian, Stanley, Edward, Lui, Adolph; sisters Mary and Jean (all predeceased). Sister and best friend Adeline (Johnny). Will be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews. Special thank you to nieces Leah, Wanda, Dr. J. Williams, PSW’s Maria and Betty, staff at St. Peter’s especially nurses Sara and Kamini, John and Karen Macintyre, Kathy Miller, Allan and Betty McCulley, as well as Don and Paul Chappel. God bless you all. Dad’s greatest joy was visits from his grandchildren. His passions in life, Mom’s baked goods, bowling, golfing, Saturday night cards with Adeline and Johnny, social gatherings with his close family and friends and Tuesday and Friday night lottery! From our family, thank you so much Jackie Sherk, Dennis Ducharme, Leo Volpato, Dan and Sheryl Cooper, Helen and Steve, Laura, Cam, Adam and Ryan Harrington, Wess and Becky Hurl, Gayle Brubacher and Father Scott Whitfield. Friends and family are invited to Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas on Sunday, March 26th from 1-4 p.m. for visitation. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, March 27th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church, 58 Sydenham Street, Dundas. Donations can be made in memory to the Cancer Assistance Program, 555 Concession Street, Hamilton, L8V 1A8.
A beautiful life that came to an end, he died as he lived, everyone’s friend.
