Donald Patrick Dunn
March 20 1930 - November 28 2016

At peace, surrounded and embraced by his loving family who meant everything to him, at the age of 86 wonderful years. Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother, Father-in-Law, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, Businessman, Coach, Don Dunn passed away on November 28 at the Dr Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton. Survived by the love of his life since 1954, whom he married in 1956, wife Evelyn, by his daughters Michelle (Ed), Rose, Donna (Marty), Kim, Cindy (Kevin), Bev (Ken) and Mary (Dave), and son Jim,his Grandchildren Laura, Dale, Ellen, Andrew, Matthew, Justin, James, Michael, Kristy, Kevin, Sean, Sarah, Mary, Emily, Connor, Cassandra, Amanda, Shannon and Joseph, and Great-Grandchildren James, Evie, Sofia and Michael, all of whom he loved unconditionally and without boundaries, and his brothers Leo, Ken, Ed, and sister Geraldine McSweeney. Predeceased by brothers Gerry and Joe and sister Mary.

Don was born and raised in the North End (573 Catherine Street North), the son of a steelworker (father Ed Dunn who died in an accident at Stelco in 1953) and a steelworker's wife (mother Stella Dunn), who worked hard to put food on the table and to raise a fine family, all of whom became outstanding parents, grandparents and upstanding citizens of this fine city in their own right. The Cathedral Boys High School Class of 1948 Valedictorian, Don had every intention of pursuing a medical career, but he decided instead to enter the insurance industry, no doubt guided by his natural tendency to help people in times of need. Don started working for Wilf Ford of the Ford Insurance Agency in 1949. After 16 years of building his reputation as a man of honour and integrity, Don bought the business when Mr Ford retired in 1965. A name change in 1981 created the Ford-Dunn Insurance Agency, a well known name in this city for many years. Brother Ed joined the company in 1972` and Don was proud that many of his daughters found their way into his employ at one time or another. As a result of a serious injury in 1995, Don was forced to retire before he really wanted to in 1996. In 1998 Ford-Dunn merged with Pearson Insurance and thus Pearson-Dunn Insurance was born. A cornerstone of the Hamilton business community, Don was a key member of the Hamilton Insurance Brokers Association holding the position of President in the 1970s. He was a member of the Insurance Brokers of Ontario and was a past Chairman of the CYO. Don was instrumental in the physical disability programme at Camp Brébeuf, was a strong supporter of the Hamilton Insurance Womens Association, was a member of Glendale Golf and Country Club, and was an integral member of Sts Peter and Paul Parish for decades, followed by Annunication Parish when he and Evelyn moved westward on the Mountain.

A keen sportsman, Don was an outstanding centre for Cathedral Boys Football in the mid to late 40's, and an integral part of several city championships. Following High School, Don had a terrific Junior Football career playing for the Junior Tiger-Cats, winning the National Junior Championship in 1950. A natural leader, Don moved to coaching, guiding his Cathedral Boys teams to greatness in the mid 50s under the leadership of head coach Dick Tighe. A love of the game brought him back to the field to play centre for the Hamilton Panthers of the ORFU Intermediate League, in 1955-56. A lifelong and dedicated Tiger-Cat fan, Don and his family could be seen in his season seats in Ivor Wynne Stadium for decades beginning in the 50's, including the last few seasons at Tim Horton's Field. Not only a loyal fan, Don and his son and daughters sang the National Anthem for years at Ivor Wynne in the late 70s to the mid 80s. Don was a steady and unflappable golfer as well, chasing the little white ball, which amazingly was consistent and straight, like him, until just a couple of years ago.

Family meant everything to Don and he and Evelyn raised seven girls and one boy. To Evelyn, he was "the best piece of her heart". To his children, Don was their hero, mentor, choirmaster, a coach of all things, providing guidance, wisdom, protection, strength and support, a warm, welcoming smile and a helping hand always eager to be offered, and never withdrawn. A patient father, Don led his family by quiet example. In return, they loved him completely.

Don's second love was music. Don and the Dunn family were, and are, deeply rich in musical talent. A gifted tenor, Don was quite the crooner back in the 40's and 50's in the local music scene. In the 60's and 70's Don was the Choir Director of Sts Peter and Paul Parish on the Mountain and he was also a member of the famous Dofasco Male Chorus for 25 years. Don passed his musical gift on to all of his children and many of his grandchildren and no family gathering would be complete without Don leading the Dunn Family Choir once again. Was it only a couple of months ago that Don and his children were recording some songs in Dave and Mary's garage? Ever the entertainer, was our leading man - a man who believed that the secret to life was to "always make room for music, for as long as there is music, there will be family together".

Don was the consummate gentleman, one of God's greatest gifts to his family and his friends. His cheerfulness and his ability to face each new day with an irrepressable optimism gave everyone around him an example to emulate. His jovial and ever-humourous outlook on life belied a tough and resiliant character that was never more evident than during his final week with his family, which he bore with a remarkable courage and a strength of spirit.

The family's deep appreciation goes to the CCAC, PSWs and the VON who all provided such wonderful care to our father during his last weeks. A very special thanks to the outstanding staff of the Dr Bob Kemp Hospice.

Visitation will be Thursday, December 1, at P.X. Dermody Funeral Home, 796 Upper Gage Ave. from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, with a Prayer Vigil at 8:00 pm. Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, December 2 at Annunication of Our Lord Catholic Church, 280 Limeridge Rd. West at 11:00 am. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Dr Bob Kemp Hospice at 277 Stone Church Rd East in Hamilton will be greatly appreciated. www.dermodys.com.

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