Obituary for Robert Henry Donaldson
ROBERT HENRY DONALDSON
MARCH 1, 1932 – MARCH 11, 2021
Robert Henry Donaldson, 89, of Eden, Ontario, formerly of Mossley, and London, Ontario, passed away peacefully at his home on March 11th, 2021. Robert (Bob) was born March 1st, 1932, in London, Ontario, to the late Richard (Reg) and Eleanor (Tiny) Donaldson. Bob began his career as a Printer. Then went into sales working at Morritt Homes for more than two decades. In the 1980s, as the housing industry declined due to high-interest rates, and a poor economy, Bob re-invented himself. Securing his certification to sell insurance, Bob worked for 14 years in this industry. He was a partner at Al Inch Insurance and then moved to Rowland's Insurance in London. Following his father's footsteps, Bob was active for many years in the Masons. In 1989 he was a (Past) Master Mason of the Middlesex Lodge 379. Bob was a licensed pilot; he and his family frequently traveled throughout North America when he wasn't working on his hobby farm or repairing the boat that would never float. Bob and his wife Joan enjoyed living on their farm in Mossley, where he took immense pride in the sweet corn, he nurtured every year. He would hold several corn roasts during the harvest season, and these annual roasts were a favorite event. There would usually be one or two unplanned corn roasts, typically late at night, encouraged by late-night drop-in guests demanding to be fed. After retirement, Bob's passion and great joy was spending time in his well-equipped workshop handcrafting wooden toys and furniture for his much-loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob is survived by his wife and soul mate of 47 years, Joan (nee) Mawdsley, children, Lea Donaldson, Sandra Lester (Tim), Michael Donaldson (Patti), Katherine Rosloski (Edward), Darlene Morrison, Richard Donaldson, stepdaughters, Jackie Broughton (Steven), Pauline Chapman (Alan); Nephew Barry and Niece Jodi. Caring grandfather to 21 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Predeceased by his first wife (Marjorie), younger brother, Alan Donaldson, and Eleanor of Calgary, Alberta. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Care Partners and Tillsonburg Memorial Hospital; and a very special thank you to the many friends, their extended families, that frequently visited throughout his lifetime and offered such tremendous support through his long illness. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In his honor, donations can be made to the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation Learning Centre for London 453 Dufferin Ave. London, Ontario and may be made by contacting Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg (519-842-5221) who have been entrusted with the arrangements.
MARCH 1, 1932 – MARCH 11, 2021
Robert Henry Donaldson, 89, of Eden, Ontario, formerly of Mossley, and London, Ontario, passed away peacefully at his home on March 11th, 2021. Robert (Bob) was born March 1st, 1932, in London, Ontario, to the late Richard (Reg) and Eleanor (Tiny) Donaldson. Bob began his career as a Printer. Then went into sales working at Morritt Homes for more than two decades. In the 1980s, as the housing industry declined due to high-interest rates, and a poor economy, Bob re-invented himself. Securing his certification to sell insurance, Bob worked for 14 years in this industry. He was a partner at Al Inch Insurance and then moved to Rowland's Insurance in London. Following his father's footsteps, Bob was active for many years in the Masons. In 1989 he was a (Past) Master Mason of the Middlesex Lodge 379. Bob was a licensed pilot; he and his family frequently traveled throughout North America when he wasn't working on his hobby farm or repairing the boat that would never float. Bob and his wife Joan enjoyed living on their farm in Mossley, where he took immense pride in the sweet corn, he nurtured every year. He would hold several corn roasts during the harvest season, and these annual roasts were a favorite event. There would usually be one or two unplanned corn roasts, typically late at night, encouraged by late-night drop-in guests demanding to be fed. After retirement, Bob's passion and great joy was spending time in his well-equipped workshop handcrafting wooden toys and furniture for his much-loved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob is survived by his wife and soul mate of 47 years, Joan (nee) Mawdsley, children, Lea Donaldson, Sandra Lester (Tim), Michael Donaldson (Patti), Katherine Rosloski (Edward), Darlene Morrison, Richard Donaldson, stepdaughters, Jackie Broughton (Steven), Pauline Chapman (Alan); Nephew Barry and Niece Jodi. Caring grandfather to 21 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Predeceased by his first wife (Marjorie), younger brother, Alan Donaldson, and Eleanor of Calgary, Alberta. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Care Partners and Tillsonburg Memorial Hospital; and a very special thank you to the many friends, their extended families, that frequently visited throughout his lifetime and offered such tremendous support through his long illness. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In his honor, donations can be made to the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation Learning Centre for London 453 Dufferin Ave. London, Ontario and may be made by contacting Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg (519-842-5221) who have been entrusted with the arrangements.