Book of Memories for Donald James Carr

Story shared: Remembering Don, Ottawa, June 27, 2015

Sat, 27 Jun 2015 11:48:53 EDT

Since many of you will not be familiar with the "dancing Don", I'd like to recount the amazing impact he made here.

At every dance Don deliberately reached out to include everyone with his joyous enthusiasm and love of dancing; he changed the chemistry of the dances. Being so genuine and without airs, Don also brought a special excitement to the dances with his delightful mixture of accomplished dancing and uninhibited playfulness.

What a truly special person Don was! And he left us too with wonderful memories that we can call upon at any time of day or night--what a legacy!

Condolence From Claudia Petrillli

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:06:19 EDT

Dearest Don, you will be dearly missed by the Swing Dynamite family and the Ottawa Swing scene at large. Your enthusiasm and love for the dance was contagious and soul-lifting. Thank you for all the smiles and the good energy you always brought to the dances. Thank you for being such a great supporter of the dance scene and of Swing Dynamite. Your continued support, advice and feedback was always very much appreciated. I hope you are happily dancing with Frankie Manning and all the other Lindy Hoppers in a beautiful ballroom just like the one you often told me you wanted for Ottawa. On behalf of Swing Dynamite, our thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones, today and always.

Condolence From Steve Mohns

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 10:35:16 EDT

Over the years, when I taught a class on swing that Don attended he would eagerly engage me afterward about some philosophical dance issue. His genuine keen interest made me always enjoy those encounters. I will miss them.

Condolence From Kofi Arthiabah

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:37:07 EDT

Goodbye, Don, my ever so dapper friend. It was a pleasure knowing you. You may be gone now, but your warmth and generosity still lives in our hearts. Swing out, my dear friend, swing out!

Condolence From vonny malbasha

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 18:00:06 EDT

Don and I shared many dances and laughs and stories on several topics from his engineering background to his extensive wardrobe of tuxes, shirts, suspenders and shoes, and wow, what a dresser! No came close to matching him. He was very interesting, always full of life, always willing to help out and teach someone dance steps, always remained positive, despite many occasions when he could scarcely drag himself out of bed. Wherever you are Don, keep those happy feet dancing.You will be missed. My thoughts are with his family during this time of their very sad loss.

Condolence From Jean-Louis Dube

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 23:19:47 EDT

May you rest in eternal peace, Don. We shared many enriching spiritual moments at Spiritual Frontiers Canada events and at several of Thomas T.'s Energy Balance Exchange evenings at the Ottawa Citizen. You were always a contributor and very interesting. Dance on!

Condolence From Martee

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 18:11:13 EDT

We will miss Don, the guy with a passion for swing dancing, tuxes, footwear … the guy who learned swing dancing very fast and was a very good lead and driver… a guy who has lots to offer…a guy with a gosh schuks kind of laugh… an engineer with good hands even with a sewing machine for dance wear, a guy with some very strong opinions… a very human guy…a meetup coordinator for swing dancing, someone who did his best to assist others… the spirulina guy…not long ago May 2nd we went to Montréal and danced at Cat’s Corner… good fun… wishing his soul a safe journey...

Condolence From Verona Brook

Sun, 06 Jul 2014 16:28:50 EDT

Don loved to dance and became an ardent supporter of Swing Dynamite, the Ottawa Swing Dance Society, and dances near and far! One Canada Day, a little boy approached Don to dance--hard to tell which of them beamed more brightly as they swept around the grass! Young or old, newbies or pros, Don danced with us all. Don was "thoughtful, generous, a snazzy dresser, terrific dance partner, and the personification of how to have a good time." So true, but there was much more to Don. He rose above his long illness and pain by searching for truth and goodness. A deep thinker, he was eager to engage in serious discussion, and loved learning. He was a man of substance, as well as kindness and good will. And, I will always honour Don for his ever present altruism. Thanks for five amazing years of unforgettable memories: Don's sometimes silly, fun-loving dancing, being lifted off the floor, his commitment to serious dancing, last dances, dancing in the parking lot, driving people home, enthusiasm, Valentines, Birthdays, Halloween get-ups, dance lessons, discussions about CFS books, Physics of the Future, brain plasticity, world forces, Pfaff 2040, energy healing, tails and spats, laughter, gluing felt on dance shoes, bands and tux nights, and so many others. Bon Voyage, dear friend! You'll always be in my heart.

Condolence From Jill Shipley

Sat, 05 Jul 2014 14:56:58 EDT

Dear Don, You were one of the best-dressed dancers who could somehow spin me around and then manage to trail me across the floor for about 10 feet with only the back of one of my heels touching down! I learned so much about dancing from you. Your determination to learn about the history of dance was also of great value. You worked diligently at your dance craft both on the social dance floor and in class, with or without shoes! What I shall cherish most are the memories of when you forgot yourself out there on the floor and completely gave in to the winds of total dance abandon! Where you are now, you can dance forever, with that abandon, with no shoes, in our memories, and without question, in style!! Take care, my friend.

Condolence From Danika Allaire-Degarris

Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:02:04 EDT

I had many memorable dances with Don, he was such a kind and gentle man. I always looked forward to seeing him and, although I won't be able to share another dance with him, I will always have the memories of learning and growing as a dancer with Don. My condolences to the family and to the many people he has touched.

Condolence From Jocelyn Davey

Sat, 05 Jul 2014 11:47:08 EDT

It is with saddness to hear of the unexpected loss of Don. He was always a pleasure to dance with, and was always a true gentleman dressed with style each and every time I saw him. He was always welcoming of everyone in the dance community and would give pointers to those who were new and looking a little lost. A good man that will be missed. Sending my prayers to his family during this difficult time.

Condolence From Elena Purser

Sat, 05 Jul 2014 10:32:29 EDT

What a shock. I have shared many dances with Don over the last few years and he was always the snappiest dresser in the room. My sympathies in your loss.

Condolence From Linda Blad

Fri, 04 Jul 2014 21:18:45 EDT

I am so sorry for the loss of Don. May God give your family peace at this sad time Ann. Remember the good times and happy memories together. May he rest in peace.

Photo shared: imageload4.jpg

Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 LMT