Obituary of Desmond Anthony Toner
Desmond Anthony Toner passed away in St. Catharines, Ontario on February 8th, 2022.
Des was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland on January 17th, 1936 to parents Anthony and Jean Toner. Des immigrated with his family to Canada in 1973. He was predeceased by his wife Josephine (Veen) in 1988.
Des was considered the “athlete” of the family and enjoyed playing Rugby and Gaelic football. Des and Veen were also accomplished ballroom dancers. Des was a carpenter by trade and worked at many housing developments in Niagara as well as the Port Weller Dry Docks.
Des was kind and generous and he loved children and especially delighted in playing around with the little ones. In addition to his fondness for all things bacon, his favourite treat was a cold can of Coke with a generous serving of Jelly Babies and Quality Street Chocolates. We will all treasure our memories of him in one of his many Irish caps, with his wonderful laugh, mischievous sense of humour and joyfully contagious smile.
Des will be sadly missed by his siblings (Gerry, Kathleen, Patricia, Edward and Annette), his grandchildren (Mary, Sarah, Emlyn and Gareth), and his large extended family in Canada and Ireland.
The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the Long-Term Care staff at Niagara Ina Grafton Gage who took such great care of Desmond for the last few years of his life and ask that memorial donations be directed to the Niagara Ina Grafton Gage Foundation.
The family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines on Tuesday, February 15th from 2-4 and 6-8pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 11am at St. Alfred Roman Catholic Church, 272 Vine Street. Interment Victoria Lawn Cemetery.
Due to COVID-19 regulations anyone wishing to attend the visitation or Funeral Mass must email your appointment time request to rsvp@dartefuneralhome.com or call 905-937-4444. Anyone wishing to attend must show Proof of Double Vaccination for COVID-19, photo identification and masks must be worn.
To view Desmond's Funeral Mass, please go to St. Alfred's youtube page.