Donald Clarance Lillow
June 1, 1941 - July 13, 2024
Funeral Details: A Celebration of Life will be held at the Southshore Community Centre, 205 Lakeshore Dr., Barrie, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 2-4 p.m.
Don passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on July 13, 2024, in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
Don was born in Bracebridge and raised in Dorset. His childhood was spent playing hockey along with numerous other sports, enjoying the lakes of Muskoka/Haliburton, attending Huntsville High School, and working in the family business, Robinson’s General Store. In 1957, he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings Hockey Club, played Junior “A” for the Hamilton Tiger Jr Hockey Club and in 1958 he had a hockey scholarship from St. Michael’s College. While attending the University of Toronto, working toward a Bachelor of Science Degree, Don was very involved with his fraternity, Sigma Chi. In 1964, he graduated from the University of Toronto and began his teaching career in Oshawa.
Don then moved to Gravenhurst and continued teaching science at Gravenhurst High School. In 1974, he moved to Collingwood and became a Vice Principal at Collingwood Collegiate Institute. He finished his teaching career at Barrie Central Collegiate as Science Department Head. Don brought energy and enthusiasm to the classroom while claiming to have never forgotten the name of a student he taught.
In retirement, Don and his wife Betty of 42 years had many worldwide travel adventures. Many of his travels over the years included trips to Calgary to visit with his son Jonathan and family, as well as trips to Alabama to visit with his daughter Lindsey and family. Don loved skiing, golfing, curling, sailing, cooking, gardening and his life on the lake.
Don will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud and supportive grandfather and good friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Don was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Lillow and his eldest son Scott Lillow, as well as his parents Donald L. Lillow Sr. and Catherine Lillow.
Survivors include his children from his first marriage, daughter Lindsey Lillow Taylor (Greg) and son Jonathan Lillow (Jillian), grandchildren Eric, Devin, Morgan, Claire and Benjamin, and stepchildren Wendy Weir and John McEvoy.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Sklar and the medical staff in the Trauma and Neurosurgery Department at St. Michael’s Hospital, as well as the staff in the Palliative Care Unit for their kind and compassionate care of Don.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Southshore Community Centre, 205 Lakeshore Dr., Barrie, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 2-4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Hospital ( http://stmichaelsfoundation.com/DonaldLillow ) or Hospice Simcoe ( https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/2595 ).
Ray Champagne
Posted on: Wednesday, July 17, 2024Very sad to hear the news of Don’s passing. Don and Betty were both very friendly when I arrived as a new teacher at Barrie Central Collegiate, and I enjoyed their warmth, sense of humour, and many stories. My condolences to their family.
Joanne McLaurin
Posted on: Friday, July 19, 2024While our hearts break that we have lost Don, I am so incredibly grateful for the many years I had the privilege of being a student in “Mr. Lillow’s” class and then as a colleague in my career. I have such fond memories of the absolute joy Don brought and school spirit he fostered. His classes always lead the way in raising funds for United Way and he was the first to sign up for any teacher spirit event like getting a pie in the face! He truly inspired me and modeled the way I try to be as an educator in my own teaching career. I will be forever grateful to have shared so much time with Don over the years.
My deepest sympathies to the entire Lillow family.
Denise Near
Posted on: Sunday, September 22, 2024My condolences to your family for both Don and Betty. I met Betty prior to joining the band as her mother lived in our retirement home on Peel street. Betty and Don will be missed by so many people . May they rest in peace and your fond memories of them get you through the coming months.
Victoria and William Bradford
Posted on: Sunday, September 22, 2024We just came back from the Celebration of Life. We were friends of Don from Huntsville High school. We often ran into him at events around the Barrie area! We last met Don, Betty and daughter recently at our Doctors office and Bill and Don had a long chat in the parking lot. I also met Don a week later at the eye doctors. As he was leaving he said ,”See you later, Vickie”! We were so shocked to learn of their deaths! Please accept our sincere condolences!