Obituary of Ian Daniel

IAN DANIEL

Passed away suddenly and peacefully on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at North York General Hospital in the presence of his son and daughter.  Predeceased by his wife Eileen; brothers Patrick and Gerald; brother-in-law Anthony Ward (Barbara).  Deeply missed by his children Colin (Cheryl) and Mary (Marcia); grandchildren Lauren and Evan; companion of 12 years Mary Mueller; sister-in-law Rosemary; nieces and nephews Michael, David, Sally, Jessica, Geoffrey, and their children.

Born on July 18^th, 1934, Ian grew up in Oshawa, Ontario.  He studied French at the University of Toronto’s Trinity College, graduated in 1956 with teaching qualifications, and met his wife Eileen, from Fleetwood, England, while on an international work exchange in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Ian had a 35-year career in public education, first as a French teacher at Don Mills Collegiate and George S. Henry S.S., then shifting to administration and curriculum development.  He was Coordinator of Modern Languages for the North York Board of Education for over 20 years, went on to acquire a Masters of Education, and was instrumental in the development of French-language curriculum in 1970s and 80s, in an era that saw the creation of French immersion programs within Ontario’s public school system.

Ian lent his time and skills to innumerable organizations and associations, including the Canadian Modern Language Review, the Mountain Lake Property Owners Association, and the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, which he founded in 2005.  Equally important to his professional career was his lifelong passion for curling, golf and skiing.  The consummate good sport, Ian will be remembered for his charming humour, sweet tooth, and exemplary sense of fair play.

The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 11^th.  A service of remembrance for Ian, followed by a reception, will be held at The Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, 151 Glenlake Avenue, Toronto at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 12^th.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, P.O. Box 1478, Haliburton, ON, K0M 1S0, or online at haliburtonlandtrust.ca.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.