Contributions to the tribute of Mr. John Michael Donabie

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In Memory of

Mr. John Michael Donabie

Sherron Fraser pledged to donate to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Sunday, February 23, 2025

With heartfelt sympathy to all your family Sherron and Don

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Kathryn Durant posted a condolence

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Dear Ala: I am saddened to hear of John's recent passing. I recognized may stations where he and Bob's paths crossed over the many years.I also recall your horrendous episode at the Inn on the Park and being at your home when we all lived in Leaside. Bob died in August of 2018 and I miss him every day. We "retired" to Collingwood in 2006 and he spent 10 years as the morning man at CFOS in Owen Sound and the next 2 broadcasting specialty shows for them until the last 2 weeks of his life. He, too, was a lifer in the biz!! I hope that you and your family will find comfort in cherished memories. Fondly, Kathryn Durant

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Leighton McLeod posted a condolence

Saturday, February 22, 2025

I just heard of John's passing and my wife, Susan, and I extend our sincerest condolences to you and your family, Ala. I listened to CKFH in 1968 and after one song, John started talking about the musicians in the band and their connections to previous groups and recordings. As a record collector, I loved hearing that information and nobody else on radio was doing that. John did it frequently. So I called the station and asked the receptionist to please pass along my thanks. A few seconds later, I was actually speaking to John in the studio. We chatted through a few songs and commercial breaks, ended up swapping phone numbers and spent many evenings chatting about our favourite artists, such as Bob Dylan and The Band or his friends, Seals and Croft. I was honoured to be a guest at your wedding, Ala, and memories of that day are flooding back now. I remember John's excitement about going to San Francisco, at the personal invitation of Robbie Robertson, to witness what we came to know as The Last Waltz, and his boyish enthusiasm a week later, relating stories about chatting with some of our heroes like Dylan and Van Morrison. Unfortunately, we lost touch over the years and several moves. We both tried to connect but somehow just missed each other. I will always regret that. He was a great and very talented man. Leighton McLeod

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Ivan Cuevas uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, February 22, 2025

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Suzette Legault posted a condolence

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Dear Ala and family. You are in my heart. Keep strong. Xx

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E & I Cuevas lit a candle

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

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For 20 years, our friendship has been a treasure. Your warm voice on the radio was just a glimpse of the joy you brought into our life—each unexpected visit and heartfelt conversation was a reminder of your kindness and humor. We will always cherish the laughter we shared and the stories that made every day brighter. Rest peacefully, our dear friend. E & I Cuevas

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Barry Bassett uploaded photo(s)

Monday, February 17, 2025

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I met John in 1965. The conversation soon turned to music, most notably Bob Dylan. Earlier this year, just before John's birthday, John, Russ Dobbins, and I went to see "A Complete Unknown". Three old friends from Oshawa out to enjoy a movie about one of our music idols. It's been 60 years with a friend who became a legend. Condolences to Ala and her family from Barry and Phyllis Bassett

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Frank Davies posted a condolence

Friday, February 14, 2025

An important person to me early on in my now 55 years in Canada and to Canadian music for decades. I first met John when he came into Terry Brown and Doug Riley's Toronto Sound Studios in 1970 when I was producing/recording the King Biscuit Boy's Official Music album, the very first release ever on my Daffodil Records label. John stayed to listen to a lot of the album in progress. When we released the album later that year he regularly played the full length Biscuits Boogie at 9'36" (!) from that album on CKFH (AM!) like it was a single! I would say he singlehandedly help break that album in the Toronto market which led to its national success and then to one of the earliest Billboard charted albums by a Canadian in America - and pre CanCon to boot! The longest cut played by AM radio since Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone. We invited him back to the studio when we were doing Crowbar's Bad Manors album a few months later. He was always so supportive of our music wherever he landed - it was not so easy back in those days to get any airplay on Canadian artists on AM with just a few MD or DJ exceptions. John was one of the key ones. Thank you John. I lost track of him over the years as he moved around the country but was always pleased to see him at various events we were both at. Like Larry Leblanc, and also because he was from Oshawa, John already knew my wife's (Lynda Squires) band Reign Ghost before she and I met and then got married a couple of years later. John would recall the band fondly - but definitely not AM music! Sending our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies to his wife and family. Frank & Lynda Davies

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Ross Reynolds pledged to donate to MusiCounts

Friday, February 14, 2025

John was one of the good guys who gave so much to the music business in Canada

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Shawne Jackson-Troiano posted a condolence

Friday, February 14, 2025

My deepest condolences to Ala, James, Samantha, the grandchildren and family members. John was like my brother from another mother almost from the day he moved to Toronto to host his All Night Radio Show on CKFH. The show was ahead of its time. A brilliant announcer with an incredible voice, he helped so many Canadian artists throughout their careers. John was sweet, sensitive with a heart of pure gold. He cared. He will be missed. I will miss him. RIEP my friend. God Bless You Forever, Love, Shawne

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Margaret McLean posted a condolence

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Q: What will you never forget about Mr. John? A: In 1964, CKLB parked their music van in front of the garage at Varcoe's Road. They broadcasted from the van for the weekend. John was there for each music fest and mentioned at that time his interest in being a DJ. John was all about finding out how the equipment worked while Judy and I were dancing the time away on the pavement. We were beginning Grade 9 at Courtice High School. A generous gentleman. Never forgotten Margo McLean

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Jim Stokes posted a condolence

Saturday, February 8, 2025

RIP John Our condolences to Ala and family. We met John just this past year through his long time friend Min( Blasco) Bentley. We stopped by his house to meet and visit. It felt like we had known each other our whole lives. Sure we knew was a great radio personality and had listened to him for years, but he was just a really nice, warm, friendly guy. We planned to go back and visit again, but it wasn’t to be. We miss him already. Jim and Sandy Stokes, Fonthill, Ontario

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Sheila Rolfe uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, February 6, 2025

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Our condolences to John's family and friends. John will be missed and remembered in our hearts with so many fond memories of him. John was a voice in our Toronto community/radio and beyond. God bless John and may his spirit soar to the heavens above us. Thank you John for your voice to all of us in Toronto and afar. RIP. Until we meet again. Forever in our hearts and memories. Sheila Rolfe and Bill Featherstone. xoxo

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Patti Andrews posted a condolence

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Ala and family, I am so sad to learn of John’s passing and send heartfelt sympathies to you all. I attended the same high school as John - OCVI - in Oshawa and was in some of the classes with him. After high school, I moved to Toronto, got married and started teaching. My husband and I were listening to the radio while I was preparing Thanksgiving, and John had the weekend shift. He was reminiscing about Thanksgiving dinners and sending good wishes to his listeners. We decided to share a piece of our pumpkin pie and took it to him at the station to say hello. It was great fun to see him and he was proud to show us the workings of the studio while the music played. He sure found success in the career path that he loved! I hope that your many wonderful family memories will comfort you all as you mourn. Fondly, Patti Andrews

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Rita DeMontis posted a condolence

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Heartfelt condolences to Ala and family over the passing of this beloved icon. I met John many years ago, when I was privileged to be a guest on his weekend radio spot on CFRB (Newstalk 1010). The moment I met John - he was dashing in a porkpie black hat - I realized I had found a lifelong friend. Kind, compassionate, funny, he was also the consummate teacher, always giving me a much-needed helping hand when it came to understanding the radio industry. John was a man of profound integrity, a man guided by a strong moral compass. He was kindness personified, never flaunting how brilliant he was, and always happy to share his stories.. And he was so much fun! I do believe he's playing music to the angels. Soar high, John, you leave behind a legacy and the beautiful gift of your friendship. Love always, Rita DeMontis

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