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Catherine Astolfo posted a condolence
Friday, August 20, 2021
Hello, Pat, Cathy Asquith here. I am so very sorry about Don! I enjoyed his company (and of course yours) at our reunion and I still regret that we didn't get to come up to the library in North Bay, where I could have gotten to know him even better. I hope your memories keep you going and of course, the love of your family and friends. Here's a hug from afar.
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Louise Mortimer posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
My sincere condolences to Pat, Ian and David on the loss of Don. He was such a lovable guy, always laughing or smiling and so keen on so many different activities - music, cooking, writing a history of the area. I played quartets with Don many times and loved playing with him. Pat and Don put me up very comfortably when I came for Rosalynn and Joby's wedding. Pat and I sat in the hot tub looking out at the lake and drinking sparkly white wine - champagne I think while Dan cooked dinner for us. Good times. Goodby old friend.
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Floralove Katz posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
On 11 August - Floralove Katz sent this note:
My heartfelt condolences to Don's family and loved ones on the loss of this lovely, gracious, eternally sunny, gentle, pleasant man. I played cello over 27 years with the Ottawa Symphony. During every interaction with Don - during breaks, before and after concerts - his enthusiastic smile proceeded our engaging chats. May you be comforted among fellow mourners and the phenomenal memories that you all shared through Don's wonderful life of lightness of being. May his memory be a blessing to you all.
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Donald Davies posted a condolence
Monday, August 16, 2021
Pat Ian and David…. Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time. Don will forever be remembered as an enthusiastic energetic happy person who was always kind to others. I hope you all take comfort in the many years of wonderful memories you have together. Take care of one another. Love cousin Donnie, Colleen, Devin, Connor and Megan
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Karen Eckersley posted a condolence
Monday, August 16, 2021
From Karen Eckersley.
I met Don and Pat in Bonn, Germany, in 2001 when Don and I both worked for Nortel and he was assigned to work on a communications infrastructure project for our customer who had offices in Bonn and Koln. It was a high stakes environment with a lot of ambiguity, and Don handled every problem with good cheer and optimism. I mean every single problem had a solution or a path to a solution, from the initial lack of offices to the sporadic operation of the Keurig coffee machine. We can figure that out, was his mantra. He had such a great sense of the absurd, in people and situations, and I can still hear his giggle as he poked holes in crazy arguments or gave some playful response to a weighty question. It made the pressure so much more bearable and the environment so much more fun. My work journals from that time are filled with Don lists, Don questions, Don answers, Don sketches.
Pat was there living with him, so that life seemed a bit more normal, even though we were all working crazy hours. He tried to keep up the viola playing in Germany, while meeting with a local chamber music group—who were fine that he didn’t speak very much German. There was always time for music. Don was talented in so many ways.
I don’t stay in touch with many people from my working time at Nortel, but Don and Pat were such engaging and interesting people that we have remained friends long after our work time was concluded. The Ravenna virtual trip was well-research and without the pandemic, I think we might have been admiring the mosaics and enjoying a very long Italian lunch. I am so sad that he’s gone and regret that I cannot join you for the internment. Sending my love and condolences to Pat and Ian and David and their families.
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Simone and Elie Fadel purchased flowers
Monday, August 16, 2021
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With deepest sympathy,
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Bruce Taylor posted a condolence
Sunday, August 15, 2021
I met Don at the summer City of Lakes Music Society String Retreat a couple of years before the Covid-induced hiatus. I was a newbie from Ottawa, relatively new to the viola, yet Don was always so welcoming, patient and encouraging. His optimism, energy, and love of making music together made him a larger than life spirit ‘at camp’. I would think of Don from time to time between the string retreat sessions, and found those memories to be source of inspiration. I will hang on to those memories and know, that in this way, Don will continue to be a positive source in my own music making. I hope that those who knew him will treasure their happy memories and find them to be comforting when feeling his loss. I send my condolences to Pat and Don’s family. Bruce Taylor.
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Peggy Florida posted a condolence
Saturday, August 14, 2021
I send my condolences to Pat and the family in Don's passing. I knew him as a musician, a fine viola player and a supportive, enthusiastic musical partner. Don's life had many facets, and he shone in every one. I am so sorry he left us so soon and I treasure happy memories of him. - Peggy Florida
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Hugo Maureira (Senior) purchased flowers
Friday, August 13, 2021
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With heartfelt condolences,
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Paul Eagles posted a condolence
Friday, August 13, 2021
Don Clysdale and I, Paul Eagles, met at St. Paul's College at the University of Waterloo in September 1968. Don was a student of Mathematics and I was in science. We were room mates in this United Church College. Don was a brilliant student of mathematics. He successfully earned an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics, and then a Masters of Mathematics, both at the University of Waterloo. He met another excellent student of Math, Pat Davies, and they were married on October 9, 1971. Interestingly, I also married a St. Paul's student who studied Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, Catherine Carmichael.
Don worked for Northern Telecom, which morphed into Nortel. He worked his way upwards in this large, Canadian technology company. He and Pat spent considerable time in Europe as Don worked on technology projects. Nortel filed for bankruptcy in 2009, ending Don's involvement. Don was a very positive person, always seeing the best in others. He was socially conscious, using his considerable skills in community projects, such as local history, the local United Church, and the North Bay Symphony Orchestra. Don's musical talents were considerable, being expert on the viola. Don's loss leaves a major void in his family and extended community.
Paul and Catherine Eagles extend our sincere condolences to Pat and their sons.
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Paul Eagles uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 13, 2021
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Don and Pat Clysdale at their wedding, October 9, 1971
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Paul Eagles uploaded photo(s)
Friday, August 13, 2021
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Don and Pat Clysdale, at the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Paul and Catherine Eagles in Wesley United Church, Galt, Ontario in July 2019. Don was the best man for Paul at his wedding.
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Hugh Prichard posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
I would like to express my condolences to Don's family. I am deeply saddened by his loss. I met Don at the Mattawa string retreat and had the pleasure of playing chamber music with Don in many groups over the years. He was the quintessence of the true gentleman. I think of him as a "gentle giant". He was always so positive about music and this attitude came through in his playing and his love of the music was infectious. For me,one of the highlights of the string week was an annual "read through" of the Mendelssohn Octet. This involved a mixture of strong players like Don who lead the show and weaker one like me. It was great to sit next to him and immerse ourselves in this masterpiece. I wish peace to his family as they come to terms with his loss Hugh Prichard
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Susanne Faulkner lit a candle
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
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Pat, I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was truly a remarkable person. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him at Knox & witness first hand his genuine kindness and strong work ethic. May you hold on to the precious memories & we can all take his spirit with us as we continue to spread goodness in his honour. Our thoughts are with you.
Susanne & Howard Faulkner
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Rev. Ted Harrison posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Don Clysdale was a remarkable addition to the Trinity United Church family. He and Pat were a constant source of positivity-- of energy and creativity and spontaneous laughter! Not only was Don wildly gifted --in terms of music, and food, insight and scholarship-- but he was modest and self-effacing. Although he had every reason to seek the spotlight (being so gifted, and always so willing to shoulder much more than his share of the work!)-- nonetheless he was happy simply to pursue the kind of passions that never failed to enrich our family of faith-- and enrich the community around us.
I continue to so admire Don Clysdale, and I will miss him terribly. I am a huggy person, and Don never was-- but I wish I'd hugged him one more time, anyway. He will be dearly missed.
Thank you Pat-- thanks to your family-- for sharing the gift of Don. We will continue to treasure you, and sustain you with our prayers.
~ Ted Harrison (Rev.) on behalf of Trinity.
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Jody Davenport posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
I had the great pleasure of working with Don for the last couple of years at the Mattawa String Retreat. His passion for music and the viola was inspiring, his sheer energy was infectious, his quick wit made meal times that much more fun AND he would bring me chai tea in the mornings. I will raise a mug in his honour! My deepest condolences to his family...
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The family of Donald Ross Clysdale uploaded a photo
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
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