Daniel Bone

Daniel Bone

Daniel Quintin Bone

On August 2, 2022, Daniel Quintin Bone, aged 79, passed away peacefully in Toronto surrounded by his wife and children, having gratefully availed himself of MAiD after enduring many years of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. He is survived by his wife Susan Blayney, children Natasha Oniszczak (Aleks), David Bone (Jaya Karsemeyer Bone), their mother Olivera Bone and step-daughter Bibi Bilodeau; grandchildren Juliet and Emilia Oniszczak, Johanna Bone and Clayton Karsemeijer Bone; his six siblings Shirley Young, Roberta Baird (Hugh), Marilyn Gibney (Art), Beverly Adolphus, Walter Bone (Barb), Christine Parulski (Frank) and fondly remembered by extended family too numerous to mention. He is predeceased by brothers-in-law Peter Young and David Adolphus and parents Thelma and Robert Bone.

Dan told us in his final weeks that 2 principles have always guided his life: the power of Music and the laws of Nature/Science.

All of us knew Dan was a naturally gifted teacher; many did not know he was also a gifted singer/songwriter. Tapes of songs he wrote about his family and squirrels have surfaced after almost 50 years which now can be treasured by family and friends in years to come.

Dan retired from the TDSB in 2002 after a thirty year career, most notably at the Garden Ave, Public School, Gr.2/3 from 1984-90 and Toronto Island Public/Natural Science School 1990-2001. The qualities most remembered and appreciated in Dan were kindness, humour and his ability to make learning fun. On hearing that “Mr. Bone’s” life was coming to an end students and colleagues from Garden Ave. P.S. overwhelmed him with their tributes to his original and innovative teaching methods. They frequently mentioned the trips that took them to nearby High Park for games of Predator/Prey and “How to Survive as a Squirrel with No Tail”. The sound of his guitar rang through the hallways and everyone learned how to identify a W-H-I-T-E Pine tree by their clusters of five needles.

By the time Dan retired from teaching, he was a respected and passionate birder contributing to the 2nd Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas…But most of all Dan Bone was a Naturalist. He was able to leave the city behind and move to his old farm property near Fenelon Falls where he and Susan became pillars of the Kawartha Field Naturalist Club. Dan continued using his gifts by teaching his community about the natural world. He tirelessly organized and participated in Bird Blitzes, Christmas Bird Counts, Butterfly Counts and volunteering for the local Land Trusts. He was the regional eBird reviewer until PSP forced him to step down. Two of his many contributions, the ones of which he was most proud, were starting the Fenelon Falls Butterfly Count in 2015 and participating in the Mottled Duskywing Recovery Team. Through extensive research and perseverance he helped locate a new colony of this endangered butterfly.

Dan suffered greatly when PSP deprived him of the ability to look through binoculars, to drive to his favourite natural areas and to read books. Speaking became arduous and eating dangerous with the risk of choking. It was a struggle to fight against losing his balance with every step. Because living on his farm property became impossible to navigate a move back to Toronto became a necessity. He valued his independence fiercely and as PSP eroded that independence his resolve to accept medical assistance-in-dying (MAiD) only strengthened. He was able to say that he felt had lived a long and satisfying life and was at peace.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of life will be arranged in the future. Donations in Dan’s memory may be made to

Wildlife Preservation Canada

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