Don McKinnon
John Donald Joseph "Don" McKinnon (1940 or 1941 - 19 November 1989) was a teacher with Amelia Jackson for 35 years from when he was about 13 in about 1954 until his death from a "very bad" car accident in 1989. In 1964 with Amelia Jackson, Don McKinnon founded the "Northwestern Ontario Ballet Guild" and taught at the Dance Centre of Northwestern Ontario.
Don lived in Atikokan and made the long drive in to Thunder Bay on a regular basis. This policy of making long winter drives on icy roads for his entire adult life eventually cost him his life.
Don's family was one of 4 brothers including himself. It's likely his brothers also had an unusual, indulgent three given names, which is seen in he and his father's names:
- Father Robert John Bernard "Bob" McKinnon ~1911 - 1 July 1980
- Mother Marguerite Evelyn McKinnon (nee ??) died 7 May 1993
- Brother Robert "Bob" McKinnon (died between 1989 and 2002) (six children with Patricia "Pat" Glover (1931 -2002))
- Brother William "Bill" McKinnon (died between 1989 and 2002)
- Brother John "Jack" McKinnon (alive in 2002) (married to Jane)
- John Donald Joseph "Don" McKinnon (1940 or 1941 - 19 November 1989)
The only possibly living member of the family, Jack McKinnon, is possibly alive as of September 2024 volunteers at the food bank in Thunder Bay, although the article claims that his wife's name was Pat, and she died in 2021, which doesn't add up. [1]
McKINNON — Mr. John Donald Joseph "Don" McKinnon, age 48 years, of R.R. #5 Arthur Street, died November 19, 1989.
Born and raised in the city, Don was very active in the community throughout his life, and for the past 35 years, had taught dance in the district. All of those years were spend [sic] teaching with Amelia Jackson, and together they founded the Northwest Ontario Ballet Guild Dance Center [possible conflation of the Guild and Center into one name]. Don's whole life had been devoted to the art of dance and to [sic] anyone that was associated with him knew of his dedication. A teacher by profession he had been an employee of the Lakehead District Separate School Board for the past 27 years.
Don's leisure time was spent at the family camp at Sturgeon Bay. He was a longtime member of St. Agnes' Church and also St. Theresa's at Kakabeka.
He is survived by his mother Marguerite; brothers Bob, Bill and John "Jack" and his wife Jane all of Thunder Bay; sister-in-law Pat [~1931 - 2002]; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive. He was predeceased by his father Bob.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. when friends and family will gather for Funeral Mass to be celebrated by Rev. Ken Pottie. Services will be complete [sic] in the Church with a private family interment to follow on Thursday in the family plot in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Removal will be made from the Blake Funeral Chapel prior to Mass time Wednesday. Prayers will be offered on Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M. in the Blake Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established to carry on Don's memory at the Northwest Dance Center [sic], and memorial cards may be obtained at the Blake Funeral Chapel.
— Obituary of Don McKinnon, Chronicle-Journal, 21 November 1989, page 22 [5]
"Mr. McKinnon, an RAD Ballet Teacher and protege Jazz Teacher of Matt Mattox ( Matt was in the movie"Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"..the axe Dance) Don examined the "Cozzubbo Jazz Exams" for three years and also did "Mock Ballet RAD Exams" for the Academy. Mr McKinnon passed in 1995 [actually it was 1989] due to a very bad car accident. He is remembered fondly by his family & Allan Jerry Cozzubbo, Al Gilbert, Kathy Wood"
— Jerry Cozzubbo, personal website, accessed 2020 [2]
Amelia was a strict teacher who demanded the best from all her students. She worked hard and expected the best from everyone in her studio. Don McKinnon was her right hand and he began taking the work load. Tragically one Sunday morning November 18 1989 Don was killed in a vehicle accident at the age of 48. My daughters Pamela and Barbara were waiting for him to come to town for a workshop. Amelia was lost without him. Don slid out of control on an icy stretch. Don was a single man.
— Patricia Ellen Towell, Private Conversation, September 2023