The Reverend Canon Donald Robert Ernest Bone, B.A., L.Th., B.Th.
May 7, 1938 - May 20, 2023
Don, cherished husband, adored father, loved father-in-law, and treasured grandfather, passed away surrounded by us, his family, and all of our love for him in the early morning of May 20, 2023.
A proud Torontonian, Don was lovingly raised by his devoted parents, Aubrey and Irene, on Brumell Avenue and Kenridge Avenue, and we loved his stories from his happy childhood days.
Don initially chose the business world as his focus and attended Western's Business School, but he eventually reconsidered his priorities and shifted to Theology at his much-loved Huron College. As he explained it, he decided that his life was better spent "working for something beyond the almighty dollar." What an example he set, even back then.
Soon after graduation, Don met the beautiful love of his life, Colleen Morton, and they were married on a Friday evening on June 21, 1963. He never stopped lighting up when she called his name or walked into a room.
Don began his ministry as curate at St. Mary's Richmond Hill in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto with The Reverend Canon James O'Neil. Throughout his ministry, Don was grateful to Jim for his outstanding mentorship and friendship. Together with Jim, Don particularly enjoyed creating a forum for young people by establishing a coffee house, 'The Fragments'. He and Jim worked together to plan the new St. Mary's church to better serve the area.
Don's next parish was Christ Church Roaches Point, where he and Colleen welcomed their son, Martyn, in 1968. Here, he continued to build his skills and instincts as a dynamic and engaged minister to a thriving community.
As a family of three, they then moved to St. Paul's L'Amoreaux in 1970, when Finch and Warden was a country corner surrounded by farmland. They welcomed daughter Kristy that same year. Such a busy time in the growing Bridlewood neighbourhood, with Don envisioning a new home for St. Paul's L'Amoreaux, which would include a community hub to serve the area. His ministry there began in a small country church that, under his leadership, ultimately transformed into St. Paul's L'Amoreaux Centre, which included Cana Place (a home for the aged run by the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine), residential units, and also space for all manner of community needs. This was the fulfillment of Don's dream of the church truly becoming part of the community fabric. Latterly, he was delighted by the sustained and continuing growth of St. Paul's Centre and the church's participation in all facets of the community. Those were happy but wildly busy days for them, yet he remained true to his devotion as our Daddy and never missed a science fair night or a relay race. He would come home from planning meetings late at night to stand in the freezing cold to flood the backyard rink so that we could skate all winter.
Trinity Aurora was his next parish, where Don was Regional Dean. He greatly enjoyed his association with fellow clergy and his role as parish priest. In each parish, Don and Colleen established lifelong friendships which remain cherished.
From Aurora, Don was appointed Director of Planning and Development for the Diocese of Toronto, tapping different aspects of his extensive abilities while still serving others. Those days were full of exciting new experiences and challenges that Don thoroughly enjoyed.
No matter where he was or what form his work took, Don gave others comfort, dignity, gentle guidance, and quiet inspiration while serving the wider community and remaining our own loving husband and very engaged Daddy. Our family happily grew to include Martyn's wife, Sue Sneyd, and we were further blessed by the arrival of their sons, Oscar and Malcolm.
Upon retirement, Don embraced no-alarm-clock mornings, long power walks and afternoon skates, sunny days in the garden and travels with Colleen - Iceland being a favourite - bike riding with Colleen and his family, cheering for the Leafs with Kristy, and becoming the World's Greatest Grandpa. Family was the focus, and we were blessed with so many happy times as a group, and also with each of us connecting with him in our own way.
The "Retirees and Slackers" group brought such delight to him in recent years, as did time with all of their friends.
Don's inherent grace, gentle nature, good humour, and genuine warm love enveloped his family with his soft touch. He was thoughtful and considerate, patient and kind, and so deeply loved.
We cannot write all that we have learned from him; it is too extensive to list.
We are bereft, and we miss him terribly.
Rest in peace, Rest in light, Rest among us, Rest in the embrace of our boundless love for you.
If desired doantion’s may be made to
The David Suzuki Foundation - Stop Highway 413 https://davidsuzuki.org/action/stop-highway-413/
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation https://thepmcf.ca/donate/
Sleeping Children Around the World https://www.scaw.org/donations-home