Contributions to the tribute of Donald Wilfrid Cardinal

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Carson Loveless posted a condolence

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Condolences to his family

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The family of Donald Wilfrid Cardinal uploaded a photo

Thursday, February 20, 2020

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Andrew Cardinal posted a condolence

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

My family has honoured me with the request that I deliver my father's Eulogy. I will try to do him justice but I'm quite certain there are no words to truly express how we all felt about him. Here we go. To start with, anyone who knew my dad knew that for work, he would suit up. For church on Sunday he would suit up. Any other time you met my dad, when he was doing the things he wanted to do, the things he loved to do he was wearing blue jeans. Always blue jeans. So today, dad, the blue jeans are for you. Donald Cardinal. That name means something to everyone here. To some he was a father, a coach, a friend, a mentor and to me he was a demon slayer. He was a man of great and unwavering faith. He was a happy man, always smiling, always celebrating what life had to offer him that day. It is always a sad day when we lose someone dear to us, when we come together to celebrate that life we always talk about how they were a 'hero' to us, the most amazing person we ever knew. Well the truth is the truth. My dad was all those things to me, including a hero and the most amazing man I've ever known. I'll tell you why. To my father the most important thing in the world, the thing that mattered more than anything else no matter what was family. His wife, my mom, and my brothers and sisters and I were his whole world for the length of his prime years. His devotion to us, his dedication to making our world a better place and our lives more enjoyable was unwavering. My dad was never shy about expressing his love for my mom, Colleen. He rarely called her that. The pet names were many and sometimes colourful. I remember a story about calling out one of those pet names to get her attention at a hockey game. My mom may have been a bit embarrassed but my dad was unabashed. They held hands at the grocery store. They kissed each other good bye every morning before work, good night every night before bed. He would readily tell you he hit the wedding lottery when he married my mom. My mom will tell you today that it was she who hit the jackpot. He always did love a good fairy tale love story. 50+ years together, I think that qualifies as happily ever after. I will readily admit that I 'hogged' my dad's time for many of those years, we had common interests that just made it fit. He coached me in hockey and baseball and took great joy in both. He quite literally showed me the angles but he never played favourites. If I was doing something wrong or having a bad game he would never hesitate to let me know, usually with a little bit of that merciless Cardinal humour mixed in. He had a competitive nature that filtered down to all of us under his tutelage but never, NOT EVER, at the expense of sportsmanship and fair play. He was always adamant that if you were going to win - and there was no point playing if that wasn't your goal - then you were going to win the RIGHT way. Of course he didn't only coach me. There was that one summer when I chose to try soccer instead of baseball - Dad didn't know soccer - so he leapt at the chance to coach my sister Suzanne's baseball team. Sue will tell you that was the best summer of her life. More than any of us Sue shared Dad's 'fighting spirit' - that unyielding desire to always do your very best. He engaged every opportunity to be involved in our lives with enthusiasm and pure joy. He always wanted us to have fun and to be a part of that fun. Even when the things we liked weren't the things he liked that never stopped him from offering his full support or putting his full effort into helping or participating. He recognized early on my brother Christopher's brilliance with electronics - possibly when my brother, around 8 or 9, explained to him that he was wiring the new family room wrong - and encouraged that by bringing home Commodore Pets for the summer and providing any other spare parts he would come across. Dad never really understood my Chris' genius, but he always encouraged it. During his summers off, when us older kids were off doing our own things, he would take our youngest sister Rebecca with him wherever he had work to do and went out of his way to make sure she enjoyed her day. Becky, being the youngest, was always Daddy's little girl, the apple of his eye. And I know I used the name Rebecca once - I don't think I heard Dad call her that in my entire life. Always Becky, his little girl. Whenever someone new came along - Tony, Kendra, Lynn and Megan and Max and Greg I'm looking at all of you - he welcomed them to the family with open arms. As far as he was concerned they were like blood and he loved them as such. And it would seem we learned from him the true meaning of unconditional love. Through thick and thin, for better or worse we are ALL still together. I know that made him proud. His brothers and sister - Albert, Raymond, Elaine and his twin brother Ron meant everything to him. That gruff but playful persona they all exuded, they were merciless in their kidding of each other and they never spared our generation either. The stories and memories they shared of their childhood together, playing sports and other extra-curriculars, of the bond they had, of the importance of family. They taught us, our generation and the next, what it meant to be a part of a family, a part of something more important than individual pursuits. You're all together again, Les Jumeaux ensemble, playing poker I'm sure and making everyone around you smile. They were always playful, always witty and always looking for the next laugh. My dad had one of my cousins, when he was very young, convinced that if he pushed his belly button his bottom would fall off. I bet he is sitting here right now, still covering his belly button, aren't you Jeff? He loved all of our friends and extended family the same. I remember the Tug-of-war in Muskoka with Brad and Adam. Playing poker with the Cardinal cousins at the family reunions. The times at home on Hunt Club with Sandeep, Nicole, Peter and Petra. To him everyone who was close to us was loved, everyone was family. Yes, my dad always loved to make people laugh. As his kids we had heard most of his one-liners 1000 times and rolled our eyes more often than not, but there was always that one person who hadn't heard it before who got a chuckle. That was all dad needed. He never stopped, to the very end, when he could barely remember where he was, he was still wise-cracking away. My mom told us a story about Dad, in the nursing home only a few weeks ago. She was feeding him and he was not doing very well and then CRASH - someone dropped a tray of dishes and dad perked up and said "hit him again, he's still standing." And then there were the grandchildren, the next generation. To see the sparkle in my dad's eye when I would drop off Jonathan and Courtney for a weekend, he was so proud of his grandkids. So proud that there was another generation to carry on the family. Nothing made him happier than to hear them call him Pepe. In a moment Courtney will come up here and express to us how her generation viewed my dad far better than I possibly could - and I'm sure he'll be beaming with pride one more time. Dad wasn't perfect though, he was human, he had weaknesses, he had demons. There came a time when those demons threatened his home, his family, those things most important to him. He did not waver. He rallied his family around him and he crushed those demons. That is why my dad is my hero, my demon slayer. Dad did have a few personal indulgences. After church every Sunday he had to have his Detroit Free Press Sunday edition. I don't think he ever completely left Windsor behind. He loved a good fairy tale love story, Pretty Woman, the Princess Diaries, damsel/knight in shining armour kind of stuff, my dad loved them. Most of all though my dad loved to do woodworking and carpentry. He learned all of it from his dad and he was expert at it. He crafted so many items for all of us from scratch, even planing the rough milled wood himself. Blanket racks, breakfast trays, potato pantries, we all have them in our homes but I think the items he took the greatest pride in were the rocking horses. Those were truly crafted with every bit of his love. Through it all my dad had his faith, a matter that gave him great pleasure and great comfort. Going to church was not just a ritual to my dad. It was an event. Every Sunday. He wanted to see everyone who was there, greet everyone he could greet. He participated in every way he could, as a Lector, as a Eucharistic minister but mostly just by being social. I can remember sitting in the car waiting for my dad, always the last to leave, always the last to say good bye. There came a time, I was probably around 14 and our hockey team had Sunday morning 7am practices that year. After practice I would go home and get ready for church and all the other guys would go play road hockey on a tennis court in Hazeldon. I wanted to be playing hockey with my friends. One Sunday I finally told my dad so. He didn't get angry, he didn't argue, he just went to church without me. Eventually all of our family drifted away from the church to some extent or another. Not my dad. Never my dad. His faith was never shaken. We had some great debates as I got older and embraced a more secular and science based philosophy. Debates about the existence of God, about the existence of heaven. We would always agree to disagree. Well, I may not give someone else this answer tomorrow, but today, here, now - Dad, you were right and I was wrong.

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Larry Regan posted a condolence

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

I have lots of warm memories of Don......he was a caring and concerned educator with a sense of humor ............which really helped everyone in the schools he served. We both enjoyed Don and Colleen's company. He will be missed. Our sympathies, Colleen, Larry & Denyse Regan

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Terry Lyng posted a condolence

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Colleen: My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Don was a colleague and move into the administration at St Anthony's school. We will miss his ever present smile. May he rest in peace. Terry Lyng

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Maggie posted a condolence

Monday, March 2, 2015

Don was my wonderful support when I worked with him at St. Anthony School. He was a wonderful caring, supportive person to his staff as vice-principal to the school. He worked with the students and gave back to the community by sharing his woodworking talents. The students loved his workshop period. It took major patience in teaching this craft. He brought his own tools to the school so that the students could learn some basic skills in woodworking. That year when I joined in on my lunch periods he helped build a Chrech for Christmas with the students, so that we could display our Holy Family figurines at home. I have displayed it in our home every Christmas Season with the figurines, bringing back memories of good times when I took his woodworkng shop. Maggie

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Maggie Terpstra nee Ham posted a condolence

Monday, March 2, 2015

Don was my wonderful support when I worked with him at St. Anthony School. He was a wonderful caring, supportive person to his staff as vice-principal to the school. He worked with the students and gave back to the community by sharing his woodworking talents. The students loved his workshop period. It took major patience in teaching this craft. He brought his own tools to the school so that the students could learn some basic skills in woodworking. That year when I joined in on my lunch periods he helped build a Chrech for Christmas with the students, so that we could display our Holy Family figurines at home. I have displayed it in our home every Christmas Season with the figurines, bringing back memories of good times when I took his woodworkng shop. Maggie

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Bonnie and Rob Brekelmans posted a condolence

Monday, March 2, 2015

Colleen, Becky and family. We are very sorry to hear the news about Don's passing. When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure and Don certainly has left behind a lot of great memories for your family to share. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. Rest In Peace Don.

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Ron & Cheryl Williamson posted a condolence

Monday, March 2, 2015

Very sorry to hear of your loss. Don was a wonderful man and although we really did not know him all that well, we have very fond memories of times spent together. Sincere sympathy to all the family.

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Tom and Gloria Kellett posted a condolence

Sunday, March 1, 2015

We were very saddened to hear of Dons passing, we send our heartfelt prayers to Colleen and the family.

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Carolyn Black posted a condolence

Sunday, March 1, 2015

I am saddened to hear of Don's passing. I have many good memories of him at St. Robert's school. He was very helpful and supportive to all fellow staff members. I often thought we might see him at the mall in Owen Sound. My prayers for you, Colleen, and your family.

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Teresa & Jerry posted a condolence

Saturday, February 28, 2015

We are saddened to hear about Dons passing and are so very sorry for your loss of an amazing man. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love to you

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Tara (Petra) posted a condolence

Friday, February 27, 2015

I grew up with Rebecca and Mr. Cardinal was like a 2nd father to me. I remember how he would crack jokes with a perfectly straight face and me, with my literal-minded Asperger's brain was a prime target for his shenanigans! He'd boot me out of his chair when I came over for supper and stole a few moments in his big 'Lazy-boy'! ;), or that time he drove Rebecca and I to Canada's Wonderland in the 80s shortly after getting his first hearing aid and exclaiming 'Wow, the indicator thing makes a sound! Who knew'! :D We knew then we couldn't hide our giggles in the back of the car cos he'd hear us ;). He also used to take us to his school at weekends and we'd take all the balls from the Gym out to the playground and end up roofing half of them; without telling Don of course ;). Somehow I think he knew what happened to all the balls ;). He was a super father and a funny man who will be greatly missed by all who knew him. xo

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Brian Finnigan posted a condolence

Friday, February 27, 2015

Very saddened to learn of the passing of Don. I have many fond memories of working with Don at St. Robert School. He loved working with the kids and families and was a great support to all. Karen and I offer our deepist sympathy and prayers to Colleen and the family.

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Janine, Bob, Jared, Matthew and Olivia posted a condolence

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Janine, Bob, Jared, Matthew and Olivia made a donation to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF LONDON AND MIDDLESEX We are very sorry for the passing of Uncle Don. Time will help but be assured the memories are always there. Always. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies. Love. Hugs.

In loving memory of

Donald

1941 - 2015

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