DONALD JAMES DACQUISTO

Condolences & Memories (18 entries)

• So shocked and sad to get this news. Such a special person gone too soon. His people here in Toronto won't forget his wonderful smile and his love of life, family, friends. Dave Lee and I met Don for a pint or two just a few years ago at The Irish Embassy on one of his stays in Toronto. Then...Covid. Yes, condolences to Lisa and the family. So sorry. - Posted by: Peter Feniak (friend) on: Jul 17, 2023

• Sad day. That kindness. That smile. That laugh. Don's one of the good ones. My condolences to his family. - Posted by: Cory Lewis (Friend) on: Jul 13, 2023

• I remember Don clearly as a young man in Winnipeg. Laura, his sister, is one of my dearest and oldest friends. To Laura, Mike, Jon and David-I am so sorry for your loss. And to Lisa, Emma and Nicolas, I send my sincere condolences as well. You are all a wonderful family and this is a tough loss. May you gain comfort from one another and lean heavily on the love that exists between you all as you remember your precious brother, husband and Dad. Sending much love. - Posted by: Lorraine Ashdown (Friend) on: Jul 13, 2023

• Don was a close friend. My wife Joanna and I cherish our time together - both in Toronto and Winnipeg. I feel very fortunate to have had a lovely catch up dinner when Don was in Toronto for his last (and again successful) trial. We laughed, we reminisced and we spoke of our families. Our children and theirs are from the same years. We shared the joys and challenges of being new parents together. We also cooked together - some legendary recreations of full Bon Apetit menus come to mind. We celebrated the first Blue Jays World Series by hitting Yonge Street with 300,000 fellow fans. We celebrated each others weddings and anniversaries. We travelled together. What I know and cherish is that Don was a great renaissance man. He was strong and gentle, he was flexible and determined. He was precise and fluid. He was artistic and logical. He was Yin and he was Yang. Most of all I will remember him as a great friend, father, husband, lawyer, musician and fully-rounded man! To your memory Don!! - Posted by: Ren Wiebe (Friend) on: Jul 12, 2023

• I am heartbroken to hear this news. We worked together briefly but this man was very smart, very experienced and always giving of his time and knowledge to help others like me with my silly little problems. He was certainly warm, friendly and easy-going as others have described. I enjoyed hearing him talk about his cases and interesting things about life in Winnipeg. Don was a real gentleman. This must be an unspeakable loss for his family and I hope they know how much he meant to us, too. - Posted by: Omar Sewhdat (Colleague) on: Jul 12, 2023

• Lisa, Emma and Nick - sending so much love to you all during this time. I will fondly remember when we last visited Winnipeg and had the pleasure of listening to Don and Jack play music around the fireplace. So much love and light in that house of yours and I know it will continue to live on in Don's memory. Xo - Posted by: Sophie Wiebe (Friend) on: Jul 12, 2023

• I was terribly saddened to hear of Don’s untimely passing. He was always a gentleman and a pleasure to work with/against. I was looking forward to seeing him in a couple months on a case we are working on. I had Don on the other side of one of my files when I was a new lawyer about 16 years ago. He was a class act then and always has been. I will really miss Don and will not forget him. My deepest condolences to Don’s loving family and friends. - Posted by: Jonathan Burton (Lawyer) on: Jul 11, 2023

• I will forever cherish my memories of Don. Whether it was playing music, chatting about work, or relaxing over a few drinks, he was an optimistic, soft-spoken but powerful personality. He had such a big impact on my life and who I have grown into, I only wish I had the chance to tell him that. Don has left me with so many positive memories, but I selfishly want many more. Thank you for everything, Don. - Posted by: Colburne Poapst (Friend) on: Jul 11, 2023

• I recently had the pleasure of trying a case with Don and through that process, grew to admire and respect him as a great lawyer, gentleman and new friend. He spoke so lovingly and proudly of his son, daughter and wife. I am sad to hear of his passing. I send my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Heikki Cox-Kikkajoon (Fellow Lawyer) on: Jul 10, 2023

• I will always remember Don as my Dad's dearest friend who brought such warmth and kindness into all of our lives. My dad has always admired Don and it was natural to adopt that admiration for the kind, caring and calm man that Don has always been. Not only a talented musician, but also an amazing cook in the kitchen! We will miss you dearly, Don. Sending you all of our love, Lisa, Emma and Nicholas. ❤️ - Posted by: Josey Poapst & Landon Orchard (Family friend) on: Jul 09, 2023

• Yes this is very sad. Don was such a wonderful person. Always a ray of sunshine and reason. Lisa, our condolences to you and the family. Very best... David, Marina, Luka and Filip. - Posted by: David Lee (friends) on: Jul 09, 2023

• I only knew Don through my brother, but saw him at several gatherings. Always warm and friendly. The memory I had of Don was via our family’s funeral for my dad. Ren and Joanna were staying with Don and Lisa, and on evening they headed back to their place with their son Jack, and stayed up ‘til all hours singing with Don playing guitar. Jack reported this being so welcomed and so almost like a respite. So Don had that love of life and way to create enjoyment even as our family was going through its own grief. That was my small glimpse into Don’s life. My heart goes out to Lisa. - Posted by: Cheryl (Wiebe) Andre de St Amant (sibling of Ren, his lifelong friend) on: Jul 09, 2023

• We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to all the Dacquisto family. May the Lord bless and comfort Lisa and children and all the family & surround you all with love & care at this sad time. - Posted by: Miriam & Bill Marchant (Friends of family) on: Jul 09, 2023

• My deepest condolences to Lisa, Emma and Nick and the Dacquisto family. Don's passing is a real shock and big loss to those who knew him. Don was a great person, a warm-hearted and easygoing friend, and a genuinely "cool guy" that everyone likes to be with. We were particularly close in high school and university and shared an apartment in Toronto for awhile. He was smart, had many interests and was a good athlete. I enjoyed going to concerts and road trips, camping, golf, playing on football and rugby teams, and just hanging out with with Don. He had a positive outlook on life and his good advice was always appreciated. Despite living in different cities for most of the past four decades, Don always kept in touch as our families grew and careers progressed, and we enjoyed visits in Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto and talks together. It is with profound sadness that I say goodbye to Don, but will always have fond memories. - Posted by: Greg Filyk (Friend ) on: Jul 09, 2023

• Lisa, Emma and Nick… there are no words to express the sadness our whole family feels for your loss. As a life long friend he was always there to provide a special love and calmness in support of any challenge. He had no peers. We have so many wonderful life memories to look back on that will keep him in our heads and hearts always. Don will be with us all forever. - Posted by: Rob and Jo (Friends) on: Jul 09, 2023

• The Daquisto Family was one of the very first to welcome our family when we came to Winnipeg 20 years ago. Our daughters Emma and Harriet became - and remain - fast friends. They spent many happy days together both at the family home and at their cottage in Winnipeg Beach. Harriet was always made to feel at home and has many fond memories of Don. Don will be enormously missed by all his family, friends, and colleagues. Lisa, Emma, and Nicholas please accept our sincere condolences on this terrible loss. - Posted by: Helene Moore (Friend) on: Jul 08, 2023

• Laura and family..... From our family to yours, we wish our deepest condolences to you and your family. Donald's passing will be an enormous loss for all of you. You are all in my prayers. I hope that God's gentle hands will provide all of you with the support and strength you need in the days ahead. God bless you..... - Posted by: Johanna Tucker (nee Van Schie) (Friend of family) on: Jul 08, 2023

• We are so sorry to hear of Donald’s passing. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. Cherish your fond memories - Posted by: Deb and Bruce Johnson (family friends) on: Jul 08, 2023