Obituary of Donald McQueen

DONALD GEORGE McQUEEN Born June 27, 1934 in London, England. Died in Toronto March 30, 2015. Beloved husband for 45 years of Catherine (Trina) McQueen. A very loving father, father-in-law and grandfather of Jennifer McQueen, Romas Budd, Lucas and Alex Budd. Loving friend to his nephews Tony Ferguson and Simon (and Jenny) Evenden; and also to his in-laws: Pauline Janitch, and Clifford Janitsch and Katherine Bateman. Don grew up in the small Essex village of Hutton during the Second World War, with an Anderson bomb shelter in his backyard. His mother, Elsie, raised rabbits to augment the rationed meals for Don and his sister Pamela. His father, George, was away, serving in the Royal Navy where he survived two torpedo attacks. Don became a journalist at 17, working on small community papers, bicycling to cover police courts and county fairs. When he was called up for his National Service, his reporter's shorthand skills got him assigned as secretary to an RAF officer and he flew many times to military conferences and meetings in European countries. These experiences inspired a life long love of travel. After his service, he returned to journalism, eventually working his way to the Fleet Street editor ranks. He emigrated to Canada in 1964. During his Canadian journalistic career, he was producer of CBC's The National, co-executive producer of Canada AM, executive producer of W-5, producer of "Maclear" and producer of documentaries at CBC and CTV. He won numerous awards and covered stories in Asia, South American, Europe and throughout Canada and the United States. In retirement, he volunteered with veterans at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, attended lectures at York University, was president of the Wanless Park Community Tennis Club and an avid player at Granite Golf. He loved classical music, British television mysteries, cryptic crosswords, and a cold pint. His health started to decline in 1999, and he was later diagnosed with Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia. Drawing on an indomitable spirit, he continued to travel. With his wife, he visited Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Argentina, Chile, and Antarctica, as well as numerous European, Caribbean and North American locations. His last major expedition, in 2008, made with pure strength of will, was an Atlantic cruise with stops in Wales, Ireland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland. With the help of wonderful caregivers (see Card of Thanks), he managed to live in his own home for most of the rest of his life, and he was able to laugh until the very end. A private interment was held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Thursday, April 2. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) for a Remembrance Service in the chapel on Friday, April 10 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com. Don was a supporter of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Choir, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Salvation Army.