Celebration of Life and Memory of the late Don Moreland
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| Celebration of Life and Memory of Don Moreland - photo by Anthony Berot |
By Stephen Weir
Thanks to his ever present
ladder, Don Moreland was a giant among photographers, and even more than that
for the annual Toronto Caribbean
Carnival. The popular photographer
passed away January 18 as the result of a heart attack. On Sunday his family,
friends and supporters gathered at a Dundas Street We Legion Hall to celebrate
his life and legacy.
Don’s partner of 22 years,
Susanna Noel and her sons and daughters and his brother and sister welcomed
over a 100 guests and well wishers to the afternoon event. “Today Don would have turned 59,” said
Susanna Noel “ So let’s all wish him Happy Birthday.”
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| Don Moreland - Facebook photo |
“(Don) was a beacon for all
to see and admire. Bold and confident, his was a tenacious soul whose radiance
was so grand his encouragement made you feel limitless!” she said.
The Celebration of Life and
Memory for Don Moreland was held at the Swansea Branch Royal Canadian Legion on
Dundas St. West. The large banquet hall
was filled with Donnie’s pictures and pictures of Donnie taken by his friends. (the
photographs that accompany this story were taken by Anthony Berot).
Members of the Toronto
Police Force, officials from the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, the
Ontario Science Centre, the Festival Management Committee and the Toronto
Argonauts came to the Legion to join in on the celebration of his life.
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| Toronto Argonaut Llevi Noel eulogizes his late stepfather Don Moreland |
Mr. Moreland has been a
fixture at Toronto Caribbean Carnival events for over a decade. He and his company photographers have taken
pictures of every single Mas band performing in the annual Grand Parade,
Children’s Parade, the King and Queen contest and hundreds of Costume Launches,
Blockos and Galas.
His career was more than
just taking pictures of all things Carnival. He owned Do It To It Production, a
very successful display company in Toronto.
The family gave out cards to
his friends with Don Moreland’s picture and one of his favourite thoughts
printed on it. “ Life is a series of spontaneous events. A photo, captures a
brief moment in that life. When viewed it elicits a thousand words and an
abundance of thoughts. When remembered, a life of memories. An authentic image
reveals the richness of life, by capturing a moment that is otherwise gone.”
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