Obituary of Derek Stodart

STODART, Derek Hunter April 30, 1915 - January 3, 2012 On Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 Derek Hunter Stodart left this world to join the love of his life, his wife Eleanor, his son Stephen and his sister Nancy. Derek was born on April 30, 1915 and was educated in England at Rugby School and Cambridge University before emigrating to Canada with his parents and sister in the 1930s. During the Second World War, he served with the Canadian army in Italy and later in Palestine before returning home where he met and married his beloved Eleanor Maria Greene in 1947. Together they raised 5 children: Andrew Lawrence (Ana Maria and Mary Sharron), Anthony Bruce, Stephen (deceased 1971), Nancy Eleanor (William Kennedy) and Lesley Jane (Douglas Dodds, deceased 2008) and took great delight in their 7 grandchildren: Andrea and Derek (Andrew and Sharron), Matthew, Gregor and Devon (Nancy and William) and Ian and Evelyn (Lesley and Douglas). Derek was a Chartered Accountant as well as both the General Manager of Canadian Trans Lux Corporation for over 30 years and was an active investor in a variety of companies. He later became involved with the United Way, Braeburn Neighbourhood Place whose staff he admired greatly. He was an active member of St. John's York Mills Church and involved in a number of aspects of the Church from administration and financial matters to supervising the parking at the church. In later years Derek expanded his volunteer activities focusing on those less fortunate than himself. He was passionately involved in the day-to-day counseling and support of a range of needy people and organizations from The Distress Centre to inmate reintegration programs, the All Saints drop-in centre, the United Way and support for families dealing with the impact of a family member's suicide. His focus and energy on the needs of the organizations and the people they served led to his receiving the "Volunteer of the Year award from then Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Lincoln Alexander. Derek will be remembered by all who knew him as a proper English gentleman with a dry sense of humour for whom, honesty, duty, keeping your word and belief in the basic goodness of your fellow man were of paramount importance and whose love for his family and his dear Eleanor will not be forgotten. The family would like to thank the staff at Sunnybrook Hospital and in particular, the staff of the first floor of L wing. During the time he was in their care, they treated him with an affectionate respect and made his passing as peaceful as possible. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 5. Funeral service will be held in ST. JOHN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH YORK MILLS, 19 Don Ridge Drive on Friday January 6 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to Braeburn Neighbourhood Place. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. POST NUBIS LUX