28 Main street north
Tribute Wall
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Gail Folk posted a condolence
Saturday, December 14, 2024
My condolences to Ruth and Family. So sorry to hear this.
I remember the day you both came for a visit to our place
Will miss are Christmas chats.
Gail Folk (Ockenden)
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Ian and Chryselle posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, December 6, 2024
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As a new Christian, Don offered me good Christian counsel. He prayed for my husband and me, encouraged us in our walk with Christ and laughed heartily with us. He even invited me to his church to share my testimony. Ian and I will miss him.
2 Timothy 4:8: Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
- Ian & Chryselle Almeida
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Joyce Ward posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
"Uncle Don" was my brother-in-law, Dave's uncle. He led Dave & my sister to Christ & , with Ruth, provided ongoing support to us over the years. He was a wonderful friend & a true example of Christ-like living. He made our world a better place.
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Ramsay Mery posted a condolence
Saturday, November 30, 2024
There are some people who are born to serve others. It is the oxygen they breathe.
Don Dearlove was one of those people. His service to others, many who could not help themselves, was his way of serving God.
Don was my friend. I will miss him dearly.
Rest in peace. Your work is done.
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Diane Quinn posted a condolence
Saturday, November 30, 2024
My husband and I have known Don and Ruth for many years.
They have been faithful friends and such an encouragement to us and so many.
Don's optimization and his love for the Lord have touched many from all walks of life.
We all are blessed and grateful for his influence.
May God's love and peace surround Don's family.
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Derek Chan posted a condolence
Saturday, November 30, 2024
I have had the privilege of knowing Don for over 20 years and he has always been a champion for Christ. A man who loved the Lord, loved his wife, and loved the church. You will be greatly missed. Love - Derek and Zee
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Derek & Zee Chan posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, November 30, 2024
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Mary O'Hearn posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, November 29, 2024
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Debbie gillis posted a symbolic gesture
Friday, November 29, 2024
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Tim Galvin posted a condolence
Friday, November 29, 2024
We “randomly” selected Don to officiate our wedding from a list of dozens. He agreed, but wanted to first meet me for a cup of coffee…Bloor and Runnymede; we sat toward the back up against the wall. God gave me a gift that day…
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Andy D'Andrea posted a condolence
Friday, November 29, 2024
Q: How did you meet Donald?
A: My journey meeting Don and his wife Ruth began in spring of 2022 as I was canvassing door to door as a candidate for the Ontario Party in the 2022 election. He was actually trying to contact the Ontario Party to find out if they had a presence in Etobicoke North, and I just showed up at his door. I have deep faith that Our Lord Jesus brought us together and set us on this path. He invited me in to chat with him and Ruth and right there and then he became my political mentor.
There is so much I could share as our meetings continued at his home or my home, or breakfast at Wally's, coffee at Tim's .... Don had always "Just one more thing .." to say. I treasure all of this time spent with Don in my heart of hearts.
There was the time we were meeting for coffee at Tim's and we just started to talk to a man sitting by himself and was obviously going thru hard times - Don showed empathy and just started to minister to him and before he left said a prayer with him and exchanged phone numbers. I watched him preach a positive Easter message to residents of Westside long term healthcare, joined him at the men's group meeting at Rexdale Alliance and as well at the food bank (that he started many years ago but has grown tremendously lately) also at Rexdale Alliance. Don has shown confidence in me to take up the political torch, a politics for the people, genuinely representing and serving the needs of the people living in our community. I will miss Don greatly but am certain that this humble servant of God is at peace in heaven, waiting for us in the fullness of time.
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Marg Buller posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2024
I always appreciated Don for his vibrant spirit and determination to be used of God for the good of others. He was such an encourager, and I always felt accepted and valued when I worked alongside of him.
My deepest wishes for the presence of God, His strength and comfort to Ruth and each family member. I identify with your pain.
Blessings to you all.
Marg Buller
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Millar & Rosemary uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, November 28, 2024
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I was truly blessed to have had Don in my life for 85 years, I loved him like a brother and will miss him always.
Rosemary and I would like to extend our love and support to Ruth and her family as she starts a new journey.
Millar & Rosemary Elliott
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Leslie Caine uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, November 28, 2024
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Irish Heartbeat
Oh won't you stay
Stay a while with your own ones
Don't ever stray
Stray so far from your own ones
'Cause the world is so cold
Don't care nothing for your soul
You share with your own ones
Don't rush away
Rush away from your own ones
One more day
One more day with your own ones
'Cause the world is so cold
Don't care nothing for your soul
You share with your own ones
There's a stranger
And he's standing at your door
Might be your best friend, might be your brother
You may never know
I'm going back
Going back to my own ones
Back to talk
Talk a while with my own ones
'Cause the world is so cold
Don't care nothing for your soul
You share with your own ones
'Cause the world is so cold
Don't care nothing for your soul
You share with your own ones
Van Morrison
Don was an antidote to this cold world that doesn't care for your soul. I feel blessed to have been his friend. Condolences to Ruth and Family
Love Les and Family
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Nancy Novalski posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Sending my deepest condolences to Peter and family! So very sorry for your loss!
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Marlene Pearce posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2024
My memory of Don was his “passion”. He was never content to sit back and watch from the sidelines. If he saw a problem, he rolled up his sleeves and put the problem to task.
Don loved BIG. He loved the Lord with all his heart. He put God first, and was a great vessel for Christ’s love. He brought glory to God continuously.
When working with him at the food bank, he was never one to say “no, I can’t do it”, or “that’s not my job”.. Don would work tirelessly to find a solution. He never missed a moment to talk about the Lord. His face lit up with that genuine smile, and he would excitedly tell you about the Lord, and what He was doing for others.
We are called to love our neighbours as ourselves. Don exemplified that in buckets. Don was the listener, the idea man, the doer, and a great man of prayer. He always understood God’s gifts for him and used them to the fullest.
He was a humble man, never bragging about his efforts or accomplishments. They were not his works, but Christ in him, never hesitating to give the glory to God.
Don was infectious. You could not spend any amount of time with him and not become inspired. He was a motivator and had greater confidence in your ability, than you often did.
He blessed others in so many ways. He set the example of what “Christ in me” looked like, and he always motivated me to be compassionate, be introspective, and to help.
One story I recall, was Don had invited my husband, myself, and Mel, down to a new church that was meeting in the basement of a library (if memory serves me correctly). We were given directions and had no trouble getting there. When we left, there was an island that forced me to go in the opposite direction. I assured myself that I knew where I was, and how to get home. I kept driving south, being certain I would pass through a major intersection with a street name I recognized. After about 45 minutes of wayward wandering I decided to go back the way I came, and to this day, I don’t remember how we found our way home. It was a lesson in humility, blind optimism, and for Mel, probably a note to self to take the bus next time. It was so bizarre that we couldn’t help but laugh. The service we attended was intimate, relaxed, and a great time of praise. Don shared these little nuggets of inspiration with everyone he met. I always felt blessed and inspired by his childlike faith, and enthusiasm to share the Lord with everyone he met.
Knowing he isn’t here to press forward on social issues and his faith in the Lord, makes me selfishly sad. If there ever was anyone, more deserving of meeting His Lord, face to face, standing in the light, and having nothing short of eternity, to sing praises to the one who gave up His life for us, it was Don.
Don, your work on earth may be done, but your legacy and unselfish example of God’s love will always remind me of how wonderful our Lord is, and how grateful I am to have known one of His servants that loved Him with his whole heart, soul and mind. And loved his neighbour as himself. I hope at this moment you are covered in the light that radiates from the Son, and are hearing, “well done my good and faithful servant”.
Until we meet again dear friend…..
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Cherie Lewis posted a condolence
Thursday, November 28, 2024
A hero, a mentor, and a friend, Don devoted his life to helping others. He was always out there in the community with the people. An everlasting thank you for all the lives you touched with your special gift of being so helpful. You will live in our hearts forever Don.
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Mary O'Hearn posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Hi it's Tyler my heart goes out for ruth and family I am going to miss don I remember there was time my mom was at church and I stay with don we went back to his house to watch TV and don made popcorn and don was feeding popcorn to Charlie there dog he love it and it was so funny I am glad I got that time with don and Charlie I am going to miss you you are with the angels now
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Patrick Delemere posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Don was the most friendly and authentic person I have ever met. He was very helpful finding a house for Catherine Doyle in 1993. We are in the same house today.
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Jonathan Gallo posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
For four years, Don was a part of our church family as we planted a church in central Etobicoke. Don was there through the good times and the bad. I learned a lot about helping those who are hurting through Don’s teaching and his example. We were never sure who he would bring to church on a given Sunday, but we always knew that whoever he brought needed some love. He was always full of joy and talked a lot about his family who he deeply loved. I will always have an imprint of both Don and his wife Ruth in my heart and my life. - Jon & Gina Gallo
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Mary O'Hearn posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Q: Describe where Donald worked and what they did
A: The don was a passion with going into different nursing homes and sharing message from God and music before my injury don and I would go to 4 different nursing home every month and I would play my according and he would speak and pray for the residents it was a beautiful experience I enjoyed every moment with don doing God's work and getting the message out there
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Mary O'Hearn posted a symbolic gesture
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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My condolences to ruth and her family don was a special angel he reminds me of mosses and Abraham he always had a passion for the homeless people and food banks when he was at rexdale alliance church the first time I met him I had a dental appointment and don went out of his way to drive me and prays for everybody he certainly was a man of faith he love his music going to miss you Jesus is getting a special angel thank you don for always being there
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The family of Donald William DEARLOVE uploaded a photo
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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Please wait
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Damian and Paul Jefferson posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Want to share our sincere condolences to Ruth and Dons family in their time of grief. We have been neighbours for quite a while and we always looked forward to dons great smile and conversation over the years. He will be greatly missed in our
Community
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Lena Petriv posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
One day Don walked into the church basement dressed in all black. I told him he looked like Johnny Cash and he replied "I walk the line". That was cute.
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John and Michelle Tiu posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
We remembered Don as a person who love the Lord and the congregation. He cared for the brothers and sisters of IBC family. I was touched with both Don and Ruth about their constant prayer for us in particular regarding our request on work uncertainty (duringCOVID vaccine policy) at the time we shared with them. His sincerity, humbled spirit , passion and testimony shared with us strengthened our faith in the Lord Jesus. Well done my brother, good and faithful servant of the Lord. You have finished the race with glowing honour and now you will be enjoying our God’s presence in paradise eternally. You will surely be missed. Our condolences to Ruth and the family. From, John, Michelle and Clarisse
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Debbie gillis posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Going to miss him very much Don always had a big smile and a contagious laugh you knew he was near when you heard it...l wish I had a quarter of his energy always there to help and talk and pray with you no matter what time of day it was.
I will also miss his many stories and long talks we had..jesus has a new angel in heaven...we will miss him dearly at islington Baptist.. love sent always Debbie gillis
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Debbie gillis posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
My condolences go out to family at this sad time...big hugs to them all...love you ruth your dear friend forever debbie and the gillis family