Don Wightman, 82, artist and educator, died in hospital in Brampton on March 16, 2018. Don was born in London, U.K. in 1935. As a boy, during the London bombings of WWII, Don and his mother were moved to Lancing in Sussex for safety. His father, an RAF airman, died in 1947 when Don was 12. Inspired by his father, Don studied aircraft engineering and industrial design. Having first visited Canada with his mother in his teens, at age 24 Don moved to Vancouver, where he worked in art and design. He moved east to Toronto to study industrial design at OCA, graduating at the top of his class in 1964. A favour for a friend brought him to Brampton in 1965. That same year, he married the love of his life, Margaret Gale, with whom he would share 52 wonderful years, and later became the proud father of his daughter and only child, Graine. Don was co-owner of La Demi-Tasse coffeehouse in downtown Brampton in the late ‘60s, and joined the faculty of the brand-new Sheridan College in 1968, as a Professor of Visual Arts; a position he held until retirement in 1998. Throughout this period, Don’s paintings were widely exhibited. He was a member of the Ontario Society of Artists, and served on several arts committees and boards. Endlessly curious about the mysteries of life and the universe, Don often explored these themes in his art. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, who have been touched by his warmth and kindness, and inspired by his thoughts and creative passions. Visitations will take place at Ward Funeral Home in Brampton, from 7-9 pm on Friday (Mar. 23) and noon on Saturday (Mar. 24), followed by a memorial service at 1 pm. Donations can be made in Don’s memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
