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Donald William Laing                         printable pdf
              

The Rev. Dr. Donald William Laing passed away gently at Toronto on March 29, 2022 at the age of 88.  He was predeceased by his parents, his first wife of 51 years, Margaret (née Sloan) and his sister Gaynor Nelson.  Don is survived by his loving wife Judith Jones and their children: Robert Laing (Rev. Joan Rennie-Laing) of Moose Jaw, SK, Rev. Deborah Laing (Joseph Anglin) of Vancouver, BC, Catherine Drader (Austin Drader) of Saskatoon, SK, Robert Jones of Toronto, Kathryn Jones-Mollod (Daniel Mollod) of Boston, MA, Matthew Jones (Tara McPartland) of Eden Mills, ON, Timothy Jones (Gael Melville) of North Vancouver, BC, Susannah Jones of Lund, BC, and Beth Jones (Adam Drury) of Toronto; there are eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren in the blended family and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Don was born and raised in Weston, Ontario, where he attended primary and high schools, then completed his B.A. degree at the University of Toronto.  Moving to Saskatchewan, where he married Margaret Sloan of Hazlet in 1956, he graduated from St. Andrew’s College in 1958, and was ordained a United Church minister that year; he received his M.Div. degree there in 1960.  Later he received an S.T.M. degree from Vancouver School of Theology, BC, then his Ph.D. degree from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland).  Don served Saskatchewan United Churches in Leask, Cabri, Regina (Rosemont), Saskatoon (Bethel), and Moose Jaw (St. Andrew’s), and served Robertson-Wesley United Church in Edmonton, AB. for twelve years.  Two years after his retirement, Don was made Minister Emeritus of St. Andrew’s Church, Moose Jaw, and remained in that position until his move to Toronto.  Don held many church positions including President of Saskatchewan Conference, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of St. Andrew’s College for fifteen years and, in retirement, a six-month term as Interim President of St. Andrew’s College (Saskatoon).  From the age of eight, Don was an active youth member of all sections of Scouts Canada, and as an adult he was a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Rover Advisor, the Provincial Commissioner of Saskatchewan (1962-69), Vice-President of National Council (1971-74), and the Provincial Chaplain of Alberta (1984-96).  He was the author of three interdenominational worship and Christian education books for use in Scouts Canada.  In his first and second marriage, the Laings travelled regularly and extensively in Europe, to Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba and all over North America.
Following cremation, a memorial service for Don will be held at St James United Church, on Wednesday April 6, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET conducted by Rev. Maya Douglas.  There will be live streaming at: YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/c/StJamesEtobicoke 
In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make memorial donations to The United Church of Canada, St. James United Church in Etobicoke or the Canadian Cancer Society.
 

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