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
Olivera Bone
My sincere condolences to Dan’s wife Susan, and to his step-daughter Brigitte, to his siblings Shirley, Roberta, Marilyn, Beverly, Walter and Christine and their families and to his many Bone and Parker cousins in Canada and in the U.S. My children Natasha and David and I are heartened by Dan’s strength and grace during such harsh circumstances.
Linda J Howes-Smyth
I am so very grateful that Dan lived life on his terms and made the world a better place because of it. My heart goes out to all those he has left behind. Through you, he lives on.
Tuula
My condolences to Susan and all of Dan’s family, children, grandchildren and friends. I was very fortunate to know Dan for a few decades as I got to visit his beloved farm and go on the many birding excursions and hikes with him and Susan. There was nothing as special as going for a long walk in the woods with Dan to learn to hear and see what nature has to offer. Dan will continue to walk within all of us; he will never be forgotten.
Deanne Levicki
I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.
Brenda Carr
I send my sincere condolences to Susan and all of Dan’s beautiful family. Every time I hear the Barred Owl outside my window at night, welcome the monarch that flies by, find solace in the song of the Hermit Thrush in the woods, Dan is with me. He gave me such gifts through his endless curiosity and deep knowledge of nature. Very grateful to have known Dan – and comforted, as I walk through nature, that he’s still with us.
John Goodyear
Dear Susan, Natasha, David and Bibi,
It is with deep sadness that we express our warmest thoughts after Dan’s passing.
We will always remember Dan as a warm, loving, witty and kind person. We miss him dearly.
Dan had a charming way of making people feel special. He was a true friend.
His struggle in recent years with PSP was extremely disheartening to see, but the real Dan never faded. Our regular visits with him in the past year were special and meaningful. We are extremely grateful that we had numerous opportunities to spend time with him in his home. His special personality was always there.
With love and affection, our deepest condolences.
John and Leslie
Leslie Dyment
Dan added greatly to the Kawartha Field Naturlists. I first meet Dan by a phone call by him while he still lived in the city but was moving to the farm soon. He wanted to participate in the Christmas Bird Court, which he did for many years later. I enjoyed meeting him in live.
Kelsey Catherine Young
Offering deep condolences to Susan, and to Dan’s children and extended family. I did not have the privilege of meeting Dan except in family stories from my in laws and my husband, but he left quite the legacy. May he rest well, and may that legacy endure in those who knew and loved him
Ron Stanford
I had met Dan a few times over the last many years. He was kind, warm and welcoming. Dan was an excellent listener and did not rush your thoughts along. He gave you time to think and speak. He will certainly be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him. I extend my sincerest best wishes to his family and friends.
Anne Barbour
To Susan and others of Dan Bone’s family whom we have not met, but heard about and seen in the happy video portraying Dan’s song about squirrels: our deepest condolences in losing a beloved mate, father, grandfather, uncle, friend… I’d like to share some fond memories I have of times out in the field with Dan.
Brian and I met Dan at our first meeting of the Kawartha Field Naturalists in Sept 2004. Dan was a true naturalist who taught by casually sharing nature nuggets at the precise moment when it would best be appreciated. We soon learned that Dan’s specialty was birds, so he became our go-to-guy for anything bird-related.
One special bird-related teaching moment that I had with Dan, took place at the Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Reserve on Monck Rd. Many KFN members were on a spring outing there enjoying and photographing spring ephemerals, but I stuck close to Dan who was looking and listening for birds. We heard a Vireo sing and I called out “Red-eyed Vireo.” Dan calmly replied “The song was too slow – it was a Blue-headed Vireo.” And then we saw the bird and Dan had been correct. Wow! Dan had taught me that even listening for tempo differences was important in birding. Since that moment, whenever I hear the slow-paced song of the Blue-headed Vireo, I think of Dan.
Our deepest condolences for your loss of this wonderful man,
Anne and Brian Barbour