Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Dad - We sure miss you! Donald was born in Toronto, son of the late Honourable and Mrs. Donald M. Fleming, former Finance Minister and Justice Minister for Canada. The youngest of three, he is survived by his brother David of Toronto, and sister Mary of Kleinburg, and his children Susan, Robert and Harold of Merrickville, and grandchildren Alison and Michael Wilson (Susan) and Harrison and Lyndsay (Robert and Erin). His wife Jayne (Viets) passed away sadly just three years ago. They were married 46 years. Donald was an avid enthusiast of the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. In the late 60's he and Jayne (who had a keen eye for a horse and experience with show hunters since the 40's) were successful obtaining quality broodmares and bred for the yearling sales and track. He followed racing even after there were no longer horses at Windfall Farm (2010).Together their "track record" took them under the lights at the Royal Winter Fair, to the Buffalo International Horse Show, to Devon, Pennsylvania, to Upperville, Virginia, and Jacksonville, Florida, to name a few and to the winner's circle in Toronto. They had horses which sold to Japan and Argentina, and the United States. Donald got back to painting in the '80's and '90's which he had started in his late teens. His abstract oil on canvas art became a passion. Several of his paintings are in private collections of some affluent Canadians, and of friends and family. Donald enjoyed careers on horse farms, dynamiting at then Frobisher Bay, at CJOH Television running the camera on set, at Canada Revenue as "computer guy", and selling real estate in Ottawa and locally at Merrickville. He made many great friends along the way from teenager to artist. He enjoyed rock and roll, the odd nice car, going fishing in his younger days, riding around the farm on his tractor, playing with the horses, and of course his art. He was a man who enjoyed being at home! He enjoyed the company of his children and grandchildren neighbours and friends and he missed Jayne terribly after her passing. He did start painting again in 2010 and completed, what he claimed as his best painting yet, just five days before his time of death. Passion and reason made him tick. Love to all and thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and wishes.
