Donald Scott McKinnon

McKinnon, Donald Scott: Our beloved Don/ Dad/ Bop passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on August 4, 2018, at the age of 77. We are heartbroken. He leaves to mourn his sons Scott, Michael (Judy), and Christopher, and daughter Kate Innanen (Karl). His eight grandchildren were the light of his life: Miranda Hargraves, Lola and Finn McKinnon, Zoë, Michael and Jack Innanen, Drew and Owen McKinnon. Don will be missed by his treasured niece, Heather Mason. Survived by his brother in law Tom Law (Susan). Predeceased by his wife Kathy, sister Carol Mason and his parents Bruce and Dorothy McKinnon.

Born in Toronto, Don married the love of his life in 1962. He was hired by Dillon Consulting Ltd. in May 1965, his only employer for the next 38 years. He went on to earn his Master of Engineering Degree from the University of Toronto in 1968. During his career, Don was involved in the rehabilitation of over 200 railway bridges in Bangladesh and the design of Highway 407, among many other exciting projects. Dillon took Don and his family from Toronto to Cambridge and Thunder Bay, back to Cambridge and then to Toronto once more, where he retired in 2003. Don and Kathy returned to Cambridge in 2012, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

He was an inspiration to his children, encouraging them to pursue their interests and always be themselves. He had a tremendous wit and a wonderful twinkle in his eye when he told (and often retold) stories. Many of his one-off sayings and fatherly advice have become oft-repeated legends. He was an excellent tennis player in the 1980s, loved Stevie Wonder and Elton John, and was a passionate golfer. The Big Bopper, as he was called by his adoring grandchildren, will be greatly missed. We thank Queen’s Square for its warmth and friendship, St. Andrew’s Terrace for its recent warm welcome, and Cambridge Memorial Hospital for the care and kindness in the past few months, especially for the warm, compassionate care he received in his final days. A funeral service will be held at Coutts Funeral Home & Cremation Centre located at 96 St. Andrews Street, Cambridge on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at 2 p.m. with a visitation one hour prior. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception at the funeral home following the funeral service and burial at Mountview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Parkinson Canada. Online condolences can be made at www.couttsfuneralhome.com.