Donald "Dan" Cameron Patterson

It is with profound sadness that the family of Dan Patterson share the news of his passing.  It is with much gratitude that we celebrate the times shared with Dan and the wonderful memories we hold onto.

Dan is survived by his wife Kathy, who will forever treasure their years spent together, his children and stepchildren Scott (Emilie) Patterson, Lisa (Jason) Hendry, Ian (Teresa) Patterson, Ben (Mel) Anthony, Nick (Kim) Anthony and Erin (Jeff) Fawcett.  Dan also leaves behind many grandchildren – Aquila, Ophelia and William, Adam and Graham, Kieran, Owen, Raven and Seamus, Logan (Meegan) and Emma, Mya, Josie and Bo and Jake and Abby.

Dan will be greatly missed by his sister Barb Elson, brother Bruce (Siobhan) Patterson and nephew Marcus (Amber) Elson and niece Tara Elson as well as his sister-in- law Karen (Matt) Crozier.

Dan embraced life and lived it to the fullest always the eternal optimist.  His accomplishments were numerous and varied – being recruited to play basketball at the University of New Brunswick, playing for the Canadian National Basketball team, a long and rewarding teaching career at both the elementary and secondary levels before becoming a principal, being instrumental in bringing Year Round Schooling to Muskoka, establishing and co-owning the Navigation Co. restaurant, conducting boat tours in his beloved Touch of Class and eventually piloting it to the Bahamas and sailing Georgian Bay.  Dan brought his “A game” to every venture and welcomed each new chapter of his life with enthusiasm.  He loved sports (especially football), boating, travel, party planning, cooking and enjoying a great meal and always appreciated a good martini.

Dan’s greatest pleasure of all came from being with, hearing about and having contact with family. He was always a steady, consistent and supportive presence and loved being a part of special occasions, holidays and milestone celebrations.  The past few years Dan especially delighted in being “Gramps”.  There are so many memories of the times he spent with the grandkids – woodworking projects, sleepovers, hikes in Arrowhead Park, sharing secret recipes, water slides, boat rides, story telling, sports tips, philosophical conversations with the teen crowd, snuggles with the youngest near by grandkids, weekly Facetime visits with those on the West Coast and of course always a little teasing and joking in the mix.  

In keeping with Dan’s wishes we will celebrate his life at family gatherings in the months to come. We will continue his storytelling tradition by sharing “Dan” stories and memories of times shared.  His greatest legacy will be the difference he made in our lives and how much he was loved.   He will be greatly missed!