Henry Denyes King, fondly known his whole life as Denny, peacefully passed away on April 6, 2024. He was born on November 21, 1934 in Toronto, Canada as only child to Grace Euretta and Henry William King. He lived his entire life within the Swansea-Bloor West Village neighbourhood.

Denny spent a wonderful childhood with his parents and maternal grandparents at their original family home on Windemere Avenue. He was fortunate to live there again later until the last year of his life.

His grandfather, the late Captain Henry King, had a summer home on Ward’s Island. Denny together with his family had a rich Ward Island history. Denny made many dear childhood friendships he kept for a lifetime.

Childhood into young adulthood, he was a baseball player in the Ward Island baseball league. Even when he no longer lived on Ward’s, he was a frequent visitor and would not miss their August Gala Weekend Celebrations that would include his beloved Dixieland bands.

Following High School, Denny worked at Canada Hardware as an office administrator. He met and married his former wife Ursula. Later, he commenced work at the Ministry of Health (OHIP) where he remained for almost thirty years until his retirement at 65 years old.

Denny would become an avid skier, tennis player and swimmer which he continued as long as he could into his later years. His nickname that he often called himself with his well-known humour was “Downhill Denny”.
He greatly enjoyed his retirement with travel including Saint Martin, Las Vegas, Florida, New Orleans and many ski trips.

For many years. He was an active and well known member of the High Park Ski and Tennis Club as well as the High Park Athletic Club.

If you ask anyone who knows him, he made you feel cherished and happy to spend time with him. His friendships were his greatest treasure in life. He will be remembered and missed by many.

As Denny greatly enjoyed many social get-togethers and the occasional sing-alongs, it is fitting he would want his friends to come out and honour his life. Denny was always ready to raise a glass of cheer to celebrate and salute the people who he knew. We will now be raising a toast to him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Village Lofts 2901 Bayview Avenue.