Donald Ross Hay

Donald Ross Hay, age 74, passed away on March 8, 2024 at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

Son of Nancy Hay (Watson) and Edmund Hay, he was born on May 3, 1949, in Montreal, Quebec. Donald grew up in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood along with his brother David, and spoke of a childhood filled with ample time to play outside and explore. As a young boy, he loved to fish which was a passion that he would take with him into adulthood. He participated in many sports and had a reputation as a natural athlete. Donald was a huge Frank Sinatra fan and watched all his special TV shows and appearances. His appreciation for music was reflected in his large record collection that grew over the years. 

Donald obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in June 1970 from McGill University. He often spoke how an education in science equipped him with the necessary analytical tools to pursue a career in financial services and accounting. His professional career began and ended with one company, KPMG, where he spent tireless hours building an esteemed reputation for his dedication and strong work ethic. He became a partner at KPMG at the young age of 29, setting the stage for a distinguished career with many achievements. Alongside a demanding profession, he obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation in 1999 and became a Life Member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario in 2021. Also, early into his KPMG career, Donald moved his young family to Quebec City to improve his French, an interest he embraced at every opportunity he could.

Donald was a deeply beloved father, grandfather, partner, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his children; Carolyn and husband, Joël, Kenneth and wife, Jenn, and Michael and wife, Vihara; his 6 grandchildren; Olivia, Justin, Annabelle, Jillian, Evelyn, and Maya; the mother of his children; Patricia Hay (Luke); partner; Shirley Jones; brother; David and wife, Claudia; and his nieces and nephew; Lorraine, Jonathan and Krista. He built a family he cherished and loved deeply, as part of his legacy and a testament to the bonds he created throughout his life. 

In his spare time, Donald voraciously read fictional mystery novels and followed the latest news headlines with keen interest. He loved to garden outside, as well as take care of dozens of plants he kept inside his home. He also loved keeping track of the financial markets, a research activity he enjoyed on a Sunday morning while listening to the radio. He found joy in the act of puttering, as tinkering on a home improvement project was one way he allowed himself to unwind after a long week. He tried his best to keep his golf game intact over the years, and still had a membership at the Kanawaki Golf Club. 

Donald was a man who loved family traditions and went to great efforts to keep those traditions over the years. Trips to Lac de la Sucrerie (the Hay family cottage) every summer, Sunday night dinners with his family, watching the Montreal Canadiens at the Forum and now Bell Centre, annual fishing trips, and gourmet clubs with friends to name a few. On road trips, he often reminded everyone to take in the beautiful scenery outside while driving the family minivan. Road trip highlights include skiing around Quebec City and Vermont, driving down the East Coast of the US, the Cabot Trail and Prince Edward Island. One of Donald’s favourite ways to show affection was to prepare a meal or dish with his own personalized touch (corned beef hash, sugarless apple pie, turkey with his homemade stuffing, stew & dumplings, pea soup, and fondue nights) in the company of his family. 

In retirement, Donald spent considerable time lending his knowledge and experience to several endeavors. Some of his initiatives include a longstanding consultative relationship with Montship Inc. providing counsel to the company for almost 50 years. He also volunteered with the Hawkesbury General Hospital (HGH) Foundation for over 10 years, as Treasurer and President of their Finance Committee. In that time, he had a huge impact on the organization and helped the HGH Foundation to raise over 12 million dollars to bring new services and equipment to the hospital. Alongside these efforts, Donald also provided strategic and financial advice to Camp Amy Molson (a camp for children in vulnerable circumstances), and served as a member of his local Rotary Club. 

Donald was known for many positive qualities that will be fondly remembered including his humility, kindness, generosity, reliability, and sense of humour. His laughter was one of a kind and well-known for its volume and ability to elicit laughter among anyone near him. He had a strong devotion to his family, always making time to attend birthday parties, sporting events, musical recitals, holidays, and celebrations on a consistent basis. He loved to dance, and would partake enthusiastically in many wedding reception dance floors. He will leave a lasting impact on his immediate family members as someone you could count on and always willing to lend a hand to help, or ear to listen. In his later years, Donald’s greatest joy was watching and playing with his grandchildren. Whether it be a rowdy game of fee-fi-fo-fum at the cottage, a quiet card game around the dinner table, listening to an impromptu piano recital or just simply a hug before bedtime, he was always ready for it with a smile.

We invite you all to share memories of Donald on the Digital Guestbook. It was his wish that we laugh and reminisce, and smile together in his memory.

It was at Donald’s request to not have a public funeral service. In lieu of flowers, we ask that any donations be sent to the Hawkesbury Hospital Foundation in dedication to his efforts over the years.

We will miss you Dad.