Condolence: To The Gillies Family: I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My family has known Don for a long time, since he and my Dad both worked many years at Bloor Street United Church. Don was such a warm man. My parents, Joan and Lawson Leggett always liked him a lot and Don presided over their burial service in 2014. I am sure they met Don at Heaven's door and are now showing him the ropes up there. You did great work here, Don. You did your family, your community and God proud. You may rest now. Norm and Patricia Leggett

Condolence: "A good and faithful servant" who brought his compassion and skills of ministry to our Church, for individuals and organisation.. a great gift whose presence will be missed by me and others. Thanks be to God..Blessings on all who grieve.

Condolence: Dear Mimi, I just heard of the shocking news of Don's passing upon returning to Canada last week. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Don. You and he were a constant and bright part of my mother's life and memory from the earliest "singing" days in Westdale until these past years. May God grant you and your family His great love, peace, comfort and strength in the days and weeks ahead as you remember and miss Don. With our love and prayers, Bob Hamilton and family.

Condolence: My husband and I have known Don for most of our lives. He was a man of great faith and integrity, who had a great joy for life and loved life in all of its complexities. I am going to miss the great conversations that always turned up when Don was around, and the music which he could bring forth from a piano! Our condolences to Mimi and all the family. May peace be yours, love, Charlotte

Condolence: Mimi and family -- I offer my sympathies to you. Don was a wonderful mentor to me when I was a student at Emmanuel College. He was thoughtful, encouraging and just plain fun to be around. I remember when he found out that I was a singer, he brought some music one lunch hour. A friend and I had a blast belting out the parts from Lakme's flower duet as Don played. On another occasion, he took the time to drop in at a Christmas gathering I hosted. He was a magnificent person and a wise elder. I will miss him. Peace be with you.

Condolence: Dear Mimi, Late on Saturday afternoon I learned of Don’s death from Ann who said that there is something in the Toronto Star that will make you sad. And sad we were for you: now separated from Don’s long arms, enwrapping you in a huge hug. Coincidentally, I have been reading the section on “Hope” in Marilynne Robinson’s book, “What Are We Doing Here?” There are many good sentences there. One half sentence reads, …righteousness will outlive greed and oppression, and we will live in the unclouded radiance of God’s most gracious justice.” I’m thinking this is a hope that Don would want to claim, too. Ann and I remember your companionship on the May 2017 to Luther’s Homelands with gladness. sincerely, peace and fortitude in believing, Ross Carson

Condolence: Mimi & family - Our condolences on Don's passing. While our only contact was through the Canadian Club dinners in Oakville and Don's time volunteering as one of our directors, we enjoyed our conversations with both of you and appreciated his and your support for the organization. We will miss him.

Condolence: My heartfelt condolences to Mimi and Don's family members Ruth Blood, Maine, USA

Condolence: Dear Donna and family, I did not have the privilege of knowing your dad except through your stories and pictures, and they painted a life filled with joy, commitment, passion, and love of family. What a wonderful life, so well lived and shared with so many! Sending my prayers to you all and with the knowledge that he continues to be present in your lives as you remember and honour him.

Condolence: To learn of Don's passing broke my heart in a way for he was a part of it. I might say one of the only friends I had. More than a mentor was Don to me .But for he and Jesus the bleecher seats would have been empty. Don't think I'd have known one without the other. Don understood. No law or ordinance is mightier than understanding,so said Plato and if he hadn't said it first Don might have. I like to think so anyway. A parting lesson, perhaps, in church civility. The world is a better place for Don having been a part of it. I loved the way he communicated a message, Gospel or otherwise,often at humours edge, with his wit. When Don fell and hurt his arm recently upon hearing of this I too felt his pain as I knew he at times felt the pain I was going through.Such empathy. I was so glad to hear this summer how when the grandchildren made Don laugh, he would be on cloud nine.I just know he's there up in heaven right now. Front and centre with Jesus saying to him " well done, " for as in the message of condolence of another, " Don was the best of the good..." No truer words were ever spoken. my thoughts and Prayers are with Mimi and the family.

Condolence: I’ve known Don for at least 40 years. As others have written, Don was never too busy to be there with a listening ear and thoughtful advice. He was dependable and reliable while being his own person and a family man. My fondest memory was spending time with hiim at General Council in Morden Manitoba. It was a difficult time for the United Church and he worked day and night weighing all the thoughts and concerns, offering well thought out suggestions and insight. My husband Keith Knill, also has many memories of spending time with Don. He is deeply missed.

Condolence: Dearest Maureen ... my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time in your lives. The gates have been opened to greet another angel into heaven. Much love and hug hugs.

Condolence: As a young person attending university I was drawn back to the church (Bloor St United at that time), where Don, David Allan and Clifford Elliott were instrumental in their different ways to my spiritual formation and personal growth. Don's hearty laugh, hopeful attitude and spirit, and relevant, thoughtful sermons, helped serve to open the door for what eventually became my own call to ministry. He was always so warm and generous when we chatted one-to-one, and interested in knowing what was going on in your life and family, and so on. The focus was not on himself, though it was always interesting to hear about his life, his studies, and so on. I haven't seen Don in many, many years, but he has, and will continue to be, someone who touched my own life in significant ways. My condolences to the family as you celebrate his life, and grieve his passing.

Condolence: Don was a warm friend and confidant over many years. Such talent, such grit and wisdom about life and ministry. It was always a pleasure to meet Don and Mimi on festive occasions and get caught up with our lives. In a time of some confusion and quiet need, Don wisely observed that “we are all heat-seeking creatures”. I have assured others of that life-giving maxim on many occasions. Thank you for a robust and great life. Rest In Peace, and in the glory we have most deeply sensed.

Condolence: It was a privilege to know Don and to be inspired by his courage, clarity of vision, and commitment to the church. Our first interaction was a letter I sent to him, when I was still a theological student, lamenting the division of Affirm into "Members of Affirm" and "Friends of Affirm", creating, I argued, a dual membership that served to further closet the LGBTQ leaders and aspiring leaders among us. His response was understanding. But more than that, it was generous. When we finally met, a year or two later, we laughed and enjoyed the initial connection moving on to other emergent issues. It has been an honour to serve with him the church he loved so well.

Condolence: Don was my cousin and the very best of the good. It was an honour to have had him in my life, and a privilege to have been able to call him a relative. Heartfelt condolences to Mimi, Stephen, Maureen, Donna, John and their families, as well as Don's sisters Mary and Barb.

Condolence: Don and Mimi have been my friends for 56 years, and although years might go by between visits, it was clear that when I found myself in a real pickle, or there was much joy to celebrate; when I needed advice that went to the heart of the matter with gentleness and humour and a hug; when I wanted a lovely meal...during those days of undergraduate university meals, and before I learned how to cook in my own marriage; during the time after there was no marriage and for years after that, Don would know the perfect thing to cook. Their hospitality and generosity and just pure kindness, would pull me through many difficult dips in the road of life. In the last few years, when I asked them, Don and Mimi encouraged me to write when I came asking. Don would dutifully read what I had written, and then he would send it back corrected for punctuation...something I hadn’t known about him...open and wise and kind, but a stickler for punctuation. A tiny “flaw” in an otherwise perfect friendship. You have no idea how much I’m going to miss you, and how bad my grammar will get because you’re not around to make it right. Do have that conversation with St Peter about how borders and closed doors might be rethought in heaven as on earth. Mimi, hold tight. You’re surrounded by a thousand relatives and friends who love you, and you have a million pictures to remind you of the good times. Don hovers just behind you, over you, to keep you comforted in these hardest of times. Love to you, too, my friend, love you both...forever. Carole

Condolence: My thoughts and prayers are with the Gillies family. Don was such a warm, generous colleague. I have nothing but fond memories of working with him at Emmanuel College. He will be greatly missed.

Condolence: Rev. Don was such an inspiration. I was in a Field Ed class at Emmanual College with him in the 1990's. He was a mentor to me in the practice of ministry. Over the years I have gotten to know Don better as we crossed paths many times through the wider church. Don would also have a smile on his face and positive disposition. He was a beacon of hope to those who knew him. May God's blessing be upon Don in death and in his life. We will miss Don greatly. My condolences and prayers for Mimi and the rest of his family.