Durnford, Donald Philip, son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Philip E. Durnford of Westmount, Quebec and great grandson of Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, a Father of Confederation, peacefully passed away in his 88th year on February 7, 2011 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in Oakville, Ontario. Beloved husband of Joann for over 60 years. Loving father of seven children- Catherine, Philip (Sheila), Galt, Anne (Jeffrey), David (Leslie), Eric (Brenda) and Andrew (Janet), grandfather of Brian, Jeffrey (Chris), Alexandra, Katie and William and great grandfather of Jayden. Survived by his sister Peggy Turcot (Elliot) and brother John Durnford (Elizabeth) and many nieces and nephews. Those who knew Donald would agree that he was a unique and remarkable man. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed. He was a passionate skier whose biggest disappointment over the past few years was having had to hang up his skis after 80 years of skiing. He was also an avid and competitive sailor which no doubt influenced his decision to select the Royal Canadian Navy when he volunteered to serve as a commissioned officer in the armed forces during World War II. Donald was seconded on loan to the Royal Navy where he saw active duty in the North Atlantic aboard the aircraft carrier, HMS Trumpeter. Born and brought up in Montreal, Quebec before moving to Oakville, Ontario, Donald attended Selwyn House School, Bishop's College School and McGill University (BCom). Donald's heart was in Nova Scotia where he first started spending his summer holidays in the 1930s. For the past 40 years, Donald and Joann have had a summer home ("The Buttercup") in White Point where the family congregates every summer. He shall be laid to rest in White Point later this year. As per his wishes, the family will not be having any formal services or visitation. As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to The Nova Scotia Nature Trust (www.nsnt.ca), a non-governmental charitable, land conservation organization whose mission is to protect Nova Scotia's outstanding natural legacy through land conservation. Online condolences may be made at www.oakviewfuneral.ca