DONALD ELWOOD MCKEE SCHAEFER

Passed away peacefully on May 21, 2023, at Glynnwood Retirement Home in Thornhill (3 months short of his 100th birthday!)

The family would like to express deepest thanks to the staff at Glynnwood Revera and especially to the third floor Assisted Living team. A very sincere and warm thank you to Aziz and Tess for their very special attention and care. He is survived by his loving partner Dawn Brereton; daughter, Judy Woodin (Glen Woodin); and son, Dr J David Schaefer (Tish Schaefer); 6 grandchildren, Grahame, Jonathan, Kristin, Alison, Andrea, and Catherine; and 3 great grandchildren, Brady, Quinn and Elle. He was a loving father, a devoted grandfather (Poppa) and a proud Great Poppa. Donald rejoins, in eternal life, his wife, Elizabeth (Bette) Allin; his mother, Hazel Sothern; and father, Ira Schaefer; and his two sisters, Thelma Tretheway and Jean Petznick.

At the tender age of 17 Donald signed up and served in the RCAF during World War II. In 1946, he went on to a very long and successful career at BMO Nesbitt Burns and later at TD Wealth. He was an active and long time golfer and curler at the Thornhill Golf & Country Club. Donald was extremely proud to be a Shriner, a Jester and a financial advisor to the Kiwanis Girls and Boys Club of Toronto. When he moved from Montreal to Toronto, he established the first branch in Toronto of The 78th Fraser Highlanders and was recognised with the rank of Colonel in 2021. In the fall of 2021, he received a ceremonial march past and salute from the 78th, complete with swords, bagpipes, kilts and a ”wee dram.”

Visitation will be held at the Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home (8088 Yonge St. Thornhill, ON, L4J1W3) on June 1 at 10 a.m. and followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the charity of your choice.