Donald Finlay Joyce, 91, passed away suddenly and peacefully on Sept. 20, 2023 at Allendale in Milton, Ont.
Don was well known for many things but above all was his love for sports. Baseball, hockey and horses were his life.
In his teenage years, Don was the proud winner at the Royal Winter Fair obtaining the top showmanship award for Guernsey Cows and won at other fairs.
He won Centennial Championship baseball in 1957 and Ontario Championship in 1959 with Milton League playing back catcher and outfield but moved to Campbellville League in 1960, where he was back catcher. Don was inducted into the Milton Hall of Fame and Ontario Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the “Village Nine” -- The Campbellville Merchant baseball team.
His nickname was “Knocker.”
He was foreman for Rockwell Steel Plant for 15 years and successfully started up the plant in Chatham, Ont.
Don was an award-winning trainer of Standardbred horses for harness racing. He had a horse named in his honour, Disco Don. His wife Edna had the same love for horses too.
Don bartended at Trafalgar Golf Course, which he loved dearly.
He did flower delivery for Milton Greenhouses and The Flower Mill, always with a smile.
He was awarded the Milton Chamber of Commerce President's Award in 2004.
Donny was the deserving recipient of the Senior of the Year Award of Milton 2012 for his contributions to the Milton community, known as “Mr. Taxi” taking people where they needed to go.
Donny was a generous supporter, organizer, contributor to many charities and social events -- Golfing 4 Cancer golf tournaments, NHL Alumni, Harry Howell and Johnny Bower Foundation, Acton Legion Euchre, Milton Hospital, Campbellville and Milton intermediate baseball champions (1959, 1962), Special Olympics, Campbellville Lions Club Member and many more.
He was well loved and respected by many.
In Don’s final hour, he enjoyed good food, drink and laughter in the company of family.
Don lived a very happy eventful life with a good sense of humour. He was a “one of a kind,” genuine, caring man who had a lot of great stories he shared of his adventures and accomplishments.
May he rest in peace, God Bless. And in his words “That’s a big 10-4.”
Don is survived by his wife of 58 years Edna (Nicholson). He will be missed by his two sons, Brian Livingston (Dawn) and Joel Livingston (Olga), and three grandchildren Griffin, Sarah and Kyla. Brother to Bob (Evelyn, predeceased) and Eleanor (Roy) Bousfield. Brother-in-law to Bruce (Susan) Nicholson, Barb (Ron) Hansen, predeceased by Marie (Merv) McCartney, Gordon Nicholson and John (Betty) Nicholson.
He is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews and their families, and many friends he met along the way.
Don is predeceased by his parents, Finlay and Edith (nee Ford) Joyce.
Cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral at Don’s request and the interment will take place at the Milton Evergreen Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with his parents in the future.
The family would like to thank all staff at Allendale.
Donny loved social events of every kind, a donation to Willow Foundation, which provides social activities to Allendale for seniors, or to a charity of your own choice, in Don’s memory is greatly appreciated.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Don Joyce.