It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Diarmuid (Jeremiah) Horgan after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer (glioblastoma). He will be sadly missed by Mary, his beloved wife of 54 years. He was a devoted father to Deirdre (David R.), Brian (Ambra) and Patricia (Leslie). He was a cherished grandpa to Dylan, Olivia, Sophia, Joshua, Robbie and Liya.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sisters, Eileen and Siobhan, and leaves behind in Ireland his brothers and sisters, Cornelius (Bernadette), Maura, Pat (Briege), Ted (Elizabeth), and Mairead, as well as his nieces and nephews.
Diarmuid was born in County Cork, Ireland, the seventh of eight children. Growing up on a farm, there was much to do, and, like his siblings, he took on responsibilities from a young age, developing a sense of duty, a can-do attitude, and a drive that very much defined his approach to life and work. He went on to study civil engineering at University College Cork, followed by a Master's in Business Administration.
Diarmuid and Mary were married in 1971, shortly before following a well-travelled route to Canada, where they established a new life together and raised a family. They embraced their adopted country, staying for 54 years, all the while remaining close to their Irish roots through their social circles and annual summer trips home.
He was involved with the Liberal Party of Canada for many years, with whom he shared many of the core values by which he lived: Integrity, Dignity, Compassion, Responsibility, and Reason.
Diarmuid’s work as an engineer very much defined his life. He established his own engineering consulting firm, Candevcon Limited, in Brampton, where he played a key role in the city's rapid development over nearly 40 years, before later establishing another office in Whitby. So many of the roads you drive on and buildings you pass are the product of his hard work and ability to overcome challenges; his mantra being “no problem is so great that it cannot be solved.” He always regarded his staff as his second family.
Diarmuid enjoyed the simple things in life and would happily spend hours tending to his garden, his children’s gardens and taking on DIY projects. He loved to read and never turned down a good game of cards with friends. But most of all, he was happiest when surrounded by his family. He was a patient, kind, generous man with a happy disposition and a great sense of humour and was dearly loved by his family and friends.
Our sincere thanks to the many people who helped care for Diarmuid during his illness, including Doctor Jhas at Trillium, Doctors Perry and Saghal at Sunnybrook, Dr. Salvo and the team of nurses associated with Dorothy Ley Hospice, Dr. Leong, and his many caregivers, neighbours, and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider an in memoriam donation to The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada (https://btfc.akaraisin.com/ui/memoryofhope/p/3cf710264c9241f698bf31c89ce4cfef)
Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam. (May his soul be seated at God’s right hand.)
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Turner & Porter - Butler Chapel
4933 Dundas Street West, Etobicoke, ON, M9A 1B6
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