Donald Arthur Wright

After several months of declining health, Donald Arthur Wright (Don) passed away peacefully in his sleep May 10, 2021. Don was pre-deceased by his wife of 77 years Peggy. He leaves behind their 2 children Alan (Denise) Wright and Audrey (Jim) Devonshire and was lucky enough to enjoy time with his grandchildren, Arron (Jen) Lowe, Danny Wright, Tracy (Jim) Snider,  Tashauna (Edward) Ellis and Megan Devonshire. Plus his 8 great-grandchildren, Kyle, Nicole, Sebastian, Devon, River, Lennon, Warren, Holden and his  great-great-grandchild Trinity.

Don was born in Birmingham, England to Arthur Henry Wright and Mabel Elizabeth Hughes. The family moved to Chester were his 2 sister were born. Beryl (Phil) Paget deceased, and Barbara (Augustin) Pawlowski. After his mother’s passing, Arthur re-married Elsie a union that gave Don 3 more siblings Howard (Linda) Wright, Phil (Flo) Wright, and Marion (Steve) Glinka. Plus many nieces and nephews in the UK.

After serving in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during World War II, Don began work at Bowaters Paper Mill in Ellesmere Port. Here he first learned how to operate grinding machinery used to re-grind rolling cylinders used in the massive paper rolling mill, a skill that led to his love affair with grinding. In 1955 Don took on the role of Chief Demonstrator for Churchill Machine and Tool near Manchester. This job led to a long career with the company that took him all over the world, from Germany to Australia, from North America to Russia. In fact, on one such trip to Russia in the 1960’s during the ‘Cold War’, Don was promptly arrested upon disembarking the plane. His crime? Carrying a copy of Time magazine with JFK’s picture on the cover!  In 1966 he was offered the position as Churchill’s Canadian representative at Barker Industrial and so the family immigrated that year to Toronto. Don finally retired in 1982.

Don certainly had many adventures over his century on this earth, and most came with laugh-out-loud stories. As an athletic young man, Don was a boxer with the Navy, culminating with a bout at Madison Square Garden – unfortunately this was cancelled due to the outbreak of war. He had a wonderful singing voice and when in the pub someone always called out “come on Don, give us a song”. He loved a good joke and would often be in tears laughing before even getting to the punchline. He rarely sat still, preferring to solve problems and build things, and was generally of a mind to just get on with it and get things done.

He will be dearly missed.

The family wishes to sincerely thank all of the Personal Service Workers who helped Don, especially Debi and Lal, and Bayshore nurses Jocelyn and Danielle for their dedication, compassion and attention they gave Don over these last months.

Arrangements entrusted to MacIntyre Family Funeral Home, 5399 Wellington Road 52, Erin.  Cremation has taken place.  A private interment to be held at Erin Union cemetery.  Donations in Don’s memory can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association.  Donation cards available at the funeral home or you may send the family a condolence at www.macintyrefamilyfuneralhome.com