It is with great sadness that the family of Larry McDonald announces his peaceful passing at home on Sunday, October 9th, 2022 at the age of 75.

Born in Toronto on May 6th, 1947, Larry was the eldest child of Edward Vern (Ted) McDonald, and Alice Helen McDonald (nee Paragooda). As a child, the family moved to Shelburne, Ontario where he grew up. Larry spoke very fondly of his childhood. He loved school, working for his father, and playing sports. He played all types of sports, including basketball, despite his size. Some of his favourite sports included wrestling and baseball, but his favourite place was on the rink playing hockey where he played competitively for many years. For a small guy, he sure was fast on the ice!

Larry attended the University of Western Ontario, studying zoology with a focus on entomology. He instilled a love of beetles, moths, and butterflies into his children and grandchildren, and anyone else who would listen. In his late 20s, Larry moved out to Edmonton, Alberta where he quickly met the love of his life Nancy (nee Barry) who just happened to have grown up not too far from Larry in Markdale, Ontario. After a two-week romance, they were engaged, and eight months later married on June 5th, 1976. The next nine years were spent in the small town of Beaumont Alberta where they raised their three daughters. In 1985 they all drove back to Ontario to continue their lives closer to extended family, settling in Brampton, Ontario. Larry continued to play hockey in the winters and enjoyed playing in a mushball league for a few years. He coached two of his daughters in hockey for several years, spreading his knowledge and love of the game. Unfortunately for him, he was a die-hard Leafs fan and experienced disappointment year after year. He loved the game so much that he would even record games to watch when he returned home from work the following day. He continued playing hockey well into his later years but also enjoyed being on the golf course (where he refused to use golf carts, no matter the weather). Later on, he picked up curling. Both golfing and curling became activities he enjoyed with Nancy, spending multiple days a week either on the courses or the rinks.

Larry will be remembered for his love of all things sports, watching A Christmas Carol each Christmas, ice cream, crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, and reading Scientific America and National Geographic. Visitors could always count on at least one magazine or puzzle in the bathroom, often half-finished.

Larry also had a massive love of animals. There was always more than one pet in the house, including multiple cats, dogs, and birds. Since 1977 there have been over twenty animals residing in the McDonald home.

Larry also loved to travel, enjoying multiple vacations post-retirement with Nancy, including trips to Ireland, Italy, a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, Vegas (with a Toronto Maple Leafs game included), and some of the tropical islands.

Larry is survived by his wife and best friend of 46 years, Nancy; their three children Celine (Tom), Shaundra, and Cynthia (Tim); his seven grandchildren Abigail, Sophie, Kaylin, Liam, Braeden, Erin, and Jane.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a local amateur hockey association, or a local animal shelter/rescue.