Reay, Glenn (Durham)

Glenn Reay of Durham, Ontario, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19th, 2026, surrounded by the spirit of the place he loved most-home. A lifelong resident of the Durham area, he spent his final 58 years at the home he built on Wilders Lake with his beloved wife, Donna, who predeceased him – a place that became a gathering point for family, friends, and anyone lucky enough to drop by for a coffee.

Born and raised in a farming family as the eldest of five children, Glenn’s early years were defined by hard work, resilience, and a sense of independence that would carry through his entire life. At just 15, he left home to begin his career as a barber-one of many trades he would master over the years. In his youth, he was also known for his toughness on the rugby field, where he played hard and earned stories that would be told for generations.

Glenn was a true entrepreneur, building a life through determination and grit. Over the years, he worked as a barber, stone mason, landlord, and real estate salesman. Through hard work and careful living, he achieved the kind of quiet success that allowed him to retire in his mid-50s-though few ever realized he had. Glenn was not one to sit still.

He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and was an avid hunter and conservationist. His connection to nature was evident in the life he built at Wilders Lake, where he spent his days tending gardens, cutting firewood, riding his four-wheeler, and cruising on his pontoon boat. Evenings were often spent on the balcony, sharing stories while feeding birds, chipmunks, raccoons-just about everything except the squirrels, which never quite earned his approval.

One of Glenn’s greatest joys was time spent with his grandchildren. Some of their most cherished memories were simple adventures-hopping on the four-wheeler and heading off to a secret berry patch known only to them. Glenn would carefully fill a bucket, while the kids happily filled their mouths. Back home, the reward was Chapman’s ice cream topped with fresh-picked berries. The location of that berry patch was sworn to secrecy, never to be shared with their parents-and to this day, it remains their special secret.

Glenn had a generous and resourceful spirit. Known for his frugality, he spent many Saturdays at what he jokingly called “Walmart”-the local landfill-searching for discarded bikes, skates, and other items he could repair and pass along to someone in need. He also had a soft spot for animals, feeding countless strays over the years, with more than a few finding a permanent home with him.

Friends were always welcome at the lake, often stopping by for a visit, a coffee, and a smoke-even if they didn’t smoke. Glenn had a way of making people feel comfortable, and his stories, humour, and presence made even the simplest moments memorable.

Glenn shared a life full of adventure and companionship with his beloved wife, Donna. Together, they travelled the world, creating lasting memories, and spent many winters in their cherished home away from home in Acapulco.

Despite being physically challenged in his later years due to multiple car and snowmobile accidents, Glenn faced life with resilience and humour. Even as his health declined, he remained sharp-witted, often joking with his caregivers and those around him.

He will be remembered for his independence, his work ethic, his generosity, and the life he built on his own terms. Most of all, Glenn will be remembered for the stories he told, the lives he touched, and the quiet, enduring legacy he leaves behind.

Glenn is survived by:

Loving father of Morgan Reay and his wife Tina of Waterloo, and Eric Reay of Durham.

Cherished grandfather of Kaitlyn Reay, Tristan Reay, Kameron Reay, and Jacob Lumgair.

Predeceased by his parents, Clayton and Eva Reay; his sister Sheila and her husband Danny Small; his brother Bob Reay; and his brother-in-law Harvey Ersman. Survived by his sister-in-law Nancy Reay and his sister Karen Ersman and his brother Keith Reay and his wife Shirley.

Visitation will be held at McCulloch-Watson Funeral Home, Durham on Friday, April 24th from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., with a service to follow at 2:00 p.m.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.

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Categorised in: Obituaries

This post was written by jriley