DONALD MURRAY DENNIS

February 4, 2026

Donald Murray Dennis of Tiverton and formerly of Lucknow, died peacefully, at the Kincardine Hospital, Feb. 4, 2026, at the age of 86. Survived by his wife, Joy (née Weber), and his sister Olga (Murray) Smith of Seaforth. Beloved father of Michael Donald Dennis and his wife, Jacqueline (née McPherson), and Jody Murray Dennis. Proud grandfather of Mathew, Andrew, and Jenna Dennis, and Lisa and Josh Dennis, and delighted great-grandfather of James and Cohen Dennis. Don was the eldest child of Clarence Murray Dennis and Mary Margaret (nee MacKinnon) Dennis. He grew up on a farm outside Atwood, near Listowel, where he excelled in local athletics, such as hockey, basketball, and track and field. His favourite sport had to be baseball, where in September, 1953, he led the Atwood Bantams to an Ontario Baseball Championship with a 21-strike-out, no-hitter in the decisive game. He later received an invitation from Walter O’ Malley to attend a Brooklyn Dodgers Major League Baseball camp. His parents, however, believed that a university education was more important, so Don attended Wilfrid Laurier University and earned a teaching degree. He began teaching at the high school in Lucknow and later joined the staff of F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham where he spent the remainder of his career. A dedicated educator, he taught mainly Latin and Physical Education, sharing both his love of language and his passion for athletics. Over the years, he coached numerous teams, including football, soccer, and basketball, and was known for the encouragement, discipline, and quiet confidence he instilled in his students and athletes. Don loved keeping busy, maintaining and working around his house and property on Stauffer Street in Lucknow. Finishing wood furniture became a favourite hobby, and he loved starting his day with the paper and working on the daily crossword and Sudoku. His legacy lives on in the many students he taught, the athletes he coached, and the family, especially his wife, Joy, whom he loved so deeply. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff, who made dad’s stay in palliative care at the Kincardine Hospital as comfortable and caring as possible. Arrangements have been entrusted to the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Lucknow. A private celebration of Don’s Life will be held in the spring. Interment, Fairview Cemetery, Listowel. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the charity of your choice, would be appreciated by the family. Acta non verba.