It is with great heartbreak that we announce the passing of our Dad and Papa, Donald R. Stevenson. Don died at home where together we said our final goodbyes. We were all supported and surrounded by our friends and family throughout the final days of his life. His final day will live as a bittersweet memory, but his life will live in our hearts forever.

Don was born in Toronto on August 19th, 1929. He was the beloved son to the late Harold and Gertrude Stevenson and brother to his twin sister Norma (also passed).

Don is survived by his son Mark and daughter-in-law Shelly Stevenson (nee Wert), along with his cherished granddaughters, Samantha, Meghan, and Georgia.

He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, as well as two twice great nieces:
Dale Jarvis (Wayne), Brenda Robinson, Brittani Tavares (Mark, Hailey, and Kayla), Kyle Jarvis (Krista), and Shannon Jarvis.

Don enjoyed a long, well-lived, and wonderful life, passing away at the age of 96. After 20 years, he is finally at peace and reunited with his wife Dorothy, after surviving her passing on March 5, 2006.

Don was a humble man who loved quietly, but fiercely, laughed loudly and easily, and especially embraced life fully. His heart and greatest joy was his family and deep connections with friends. Coming in close behind was cheering on his Toronto Blue Jays and “watching the ponies run”.

While Don was a man who, of course celebrated the big moments in life (especially the immense pride he had in the accomplishments of his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters), spent more of his life finding great joy in the quieter, smaller, daily moments of life throughout his 96 years.

Don and Dorothy travelled much in the early days of their marriage as well as during their retirement years. Throughout their 51 years of marriage, they saw many of Canada’s provinces, with Labrador and Newfoundland being a favourite, as well as much of the United States (including Hawaii and Alaska). Other special places include the Panama Canal, Ireland, and Scotland. After Dorothy passed, Don continued his travelling on solo adventures, visiting Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Don’s final travels were accompanied by his son and family, seeing many of the Eastern Caribbean Islands, revisiting Hawaii, and a memory-filled week at Disney World filled with so much fun and laughter.

Don had an accomplished career as an Optician and was a lead driver in the development of the Optician certification program, as it is known today, earning him a Lifetime Achievement and Certification award. However his knack for inspiring happiness and appreciation for life with so many people shone even brighter.

We are honouring Don’s life on Monday, March 9th at Turner & Porter, Peel Chapel, in Mississauga.

We will start welcoming visitors at 10am, with the service beginning at 11am, followed by a reception immediately after.

We will be laying Dad to rest, next to his beloved wife Dorothy, in a private burial after the reception.

Rest in peace Dad/Papa. Our hearts are broken, and you will be greatly missed by many, but we will move forward in our lives, inspired by how you lived yours, and promise to honour your legacy of a life well-lived.