Obituary of Gordon Denis Lemyre

Denis Gordon Lemyre

(November 17, 1949 – March 15, 2023)

Denis Gordon Lemyre died peacefully on March 15, 2023, in the company of several close friends and family members, at North York General Hospital.  He was 73 years old.

Denis was the son of Laura Lovina Knights.  He was predeceased by brother Al, and sisters Pam and Rita.  Denis is survived by his sisters Mary in New Zealand, and Janet in Oklahoma.  Denis is also survived by his beloved cousin and friend, Brian Rivers.

Denis faced many challenges in his childhood and early in his life, including a period of time at  Sacred Heart Children’s Village in Scarborough,  and a stay at a hospital in Penetanguishene.  Denis survived these early challenges to live a full life in Toronto, including associations and friendships in the Toronto Mennonite community and other Christian and social justice groups.

In a sense, Denis became a focal point, bringing together many people, from different groups, with a commitment to social justice and to providing support for the disenfranchised. These friends of Denis also became friends and allies of each other, gathering through the years with Denis for his birthdays and special occasions.

Denis made up for his early departure from school with a vengeance. Over the years, Denis completed more than 50 high school credit courses by correspondence, possibly the most ever, earning him a special presentation from the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Denis  was an enthusiastic coin collector and model maker, a generous gift giver, and a passionate fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Denis has enlightened and enlivened many peoples’ lives in his journey, and has entertained many of us with his lively stories and his occasional poems. Denis will be remembered and missed by his many friends.

A memorial service will be held for Denis at the Toronto United Mennonite Church (TUMC) with a date to be announced. His ashes will be interred in a special garden created in his honour by Brian and Patsy Rivers. 

Denis asked that we remember him with these words, “I tried my best” and indeed he has done just that.

“I tried my best.”

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