Obituary of Donald Carmichael

Donald Carmichael - An Independent Free Spirit, 1957-2020 Donnie Carmichael chose to pass away on Feb 16, 2020 in the company of some of his close friends, after a 3+ year struggle with cancer. He used the medical assistance in death (MAID) option administered by a very caring doctor. He was just shy of his 63rd birthday. He was diagnosed with stage-3 colon cancer in late 2016. Chemotherapy gave Donnie over 3 years of high quality time with his friends, a better outcome than expected. He attended Runnymede Public School and Humberside Collegiate Institute in Toronto. Donnie had a wicked sense of humor which kept everyone laughing. As a teenager, Donnie developed an independent spirit. He disliked large authoritative institutions, such as governments, schools and police. In his 20s, he founded a successful company supplying retail stores, and developed a penchant for carrying $100 bills around. His passion was sailing his catamaran around Balm Beach in Georgian Bay. After a few years, Donnie decided that this lifestyle was too restrictive, and he embarked on a trip which led him to Texas and New Mexico in the United States. He stayed in the states for several years, until he was unfortunately involved in an accident where his neck was broken. Back in Canada, he underwent years of determined physiotherapy, to recover the ability to walk and function. He enjoyed having beers with his friends and for years he had organized get-togethers at local pubs in Bloor West Village in Toronto. A celebration of life will be planned in the future. Special thanks are extended to Mary-Lou and the doctors associated with the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Toronto, and to the doctors and nurses associated with Princess Margaret Hospital.