Published in The Lake Report, October 22, 2026, page 33.
Donald Lloyd Combe, UE
Passed away in palliative care at The Royal Henley Retirement Community on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at the age of 95.
Born on Aug. 22, 1931, in Niagara Falls, he was the eldest child of William Thomas Combe, pharmacist, and Mabel Frances Stewart, a bookkeeper. He attended schools there and graduated from Stamford Collegiate in 1952.
He is survived by his sister, Winnifred Frances Kalagian — whom he affectionately called “Bea” — niece, Vanessa (Lance) Hamrick and nephew, Merritt (Mary Kay) Kalagian. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Norma Joyce Combe.
Donald’s path led him to England where he studied and graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1955.
For eight years, he taught speech and drama with the Toronto School Board and travelled extensively with The Company of Pilgrims performing in many locations in Ontario and New York state.
He returned to Niagara Falls in 1965 and from 1966 to 1990 was an English as a second language teacher at Niagara College.
He attended St. Mark’s Church as a child, when his family summered in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and in 1977 he fulfilled a dream and moved to Johnson Street where he resided until very recently.
On retirement in 1990, Fred Habermehl and he began an Ontario Genealogical Society project of transcribing the stones in St. Andrew’s and St. Vincent de Paul cemeteries.
This led to the publication of “Stones, Saints and Sinners” for the Niagara Historical Society. In retirement, the two friends published 24 books and wrote numerous brochures and newspaper articles.
He became a member of historic St. Mark’s and his deep interest in history led to his becoming a founding member of St. Mark’s Archives Committee. He was appointed sexton and cared for the oldest cemetery in Ontario.
In 1996, Donald, with Percy Webb, began a program that organized the planting of nearly 100 mature trees in the ancient cemetery.
As a historian too, he believed that everyone had a story which needs to be remembered and retold. A true storyteller, he said the lives of the people interred in cemeteries interested him and their stories needed to be remembered.
His deep interest in local history sprang in part from his love of family history. He was proud that seven of his ancestors were United Empire Loyalists and he published four books of family genealogy.
For many years he contributed to The Advance and The Local with stories about the town and film reviews.
He was a life member of the Niagara Pumphouse Visual Arts Centre, associated with its founding and served many years on its board. He was also a life member of the Niagara Historical Society.
A great joy in his life was the time he shared with his Scottish terriers, a breed close to his heart and nature. They listened and understood when others didn’t and brought joy when it seemed there was none.
Donald was awarded the Order of Niagara and was a Paul Harris Fellow for his work in the preservation of cemeteries.
At Donald’s request, cremation has taken place, and his ashes will be interred in the St. Mark’s Anglican Church Cemetery.
In honour of Dia de los Muertos celebrations and the 131st anniversary of his father’s birth, a memorial service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Mark’s Anglican Church (41 Byron St., Niagara-on-the-Lake).
If you wish to honour Donald’s memory, he asks that you “move forward with your life being just that extra bit kinder to everyone you meet.”
Those who wish to make a financial contribution in lieu of flowers are requested to consider the Shaw Festival, the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre or St. Mark’s Anglican Church (cemetery committee).
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com.
