Obituary of Donald Landry

LANDRY, Donald Atcheson

May 27, 1928 - March 10, 2019

At 90 years of age with family by his side, Donald Atcheson Landry of Waterloo, Ontario, passed away peacefully in Palliative care at the Grand River Hospital Freeport Site. Survived by his wife of 66 years Catherine (nee Wright), sons Fraser (Laura Papsin) and Eric (Amrita Persaud), and his beloved grandson Evan. Pre- deceased by his son Ian, brother Douglas and sister Jeanne, and his parents Frank and Teenie (nee Atcheson) Landry. Don was born in Highland Grove, Ontario, and reminded us (constantly) that he was raised with no electricity or running water, stoked the fire on cold winter mornings, and walked barefoot to school. First and foremost, Don loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Don dedicated his life to music and education; he had 35 years of teaching service in Ontario schools. In 1946, when he was 18, he began teaching in Apsley, Ontario, in a one-room school house. In 1955, following several years as an itinerant music teacher in Burk's Falls, he and Catherine moved to Waterloo, Ontario, where he spent the rest of his career as a Consultant and Supervisor of Music. He also taught music education for 20 years at Wilfrid Laurier University and pioneered their Kodaly Teacher Training program. He was a leading proponent of the Kodaly philosophy of children's music education in Waterloo County, writing curriculum and offering guidance on its implementation to other school boards throughout Canada. Don was one of the Waterloo County's premier baritone soloists, studying with Dr. Glenn Kruspe, and taking on leading roles in oratorios like the Messiah and Elijah with the KW Grand Philharmonic Choir. Don conducted many choirs, the most notable being the KW Grand Philharmonic Choir, and the Dominion Life Choir. As well as adults, he worked with children's choirs culminating with leading the Kodaly Festivals's 500 voice elementary school choir three times. He shared his expertise as a choral conductor adjudicating music festivals all across Ontario. Don and Catherine were passionate about the KW Symphony and the Stratford Festival. They shared a love of boating. During retirement, they travelled the world. He was deeply committed to volunteering, including driving patients to cancer-care hospitals in Toronto and London, along with many years volunteering at the Grand River Cancer Care Centre. He loved being out doors, walking, and driving. He baked bread, made chocolates, painted houses, and loved carpentry. He hated wet wood. "If anything I do is important, it is to have people develop some understanding of beauty through music, whether it's the kids who just glory in the sound they're making, or whether it's an adult who makes this grand discovery. I guess that, as far as what I'm about and what I do, is it." He will be interred at the Little lake Cemetery in Peterborough, Ontario next to his son Ian.

There will be a celebration of Don's life on Saturday, April 27 from 2 - 5 p.m. in the Great Hall at The Sunshine Centre in Luther Village On The Park, 141 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grand Philharmonic Choir (grandphilchoir.com) or the Grand River Hospital Freeport Campus Palliative Unit (www.grhf.org) in memoriam in Donald Landry's name.