Residents in the St-Henri neighbourhood have come together to honour a man many knew simply as “Don” — a familiar presence who spent years living in a local park. Donald Robertson, 66, died on Feb. 4 after suffering a heart attack. For much of the past five years, Don had lived in Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier Park. But neighbours say he was far from invisible. “He was always happy and positive,” said resident Jessica Durbau-Benfeito. “He loved talking about world affairs,” said neighbour Rick Burcuvitz. “He was polite, soft-spoken, and very pleasant.” In the days following his death, the spot where Don kept his belongings began filling with photos, flowers, letters and candles — a small memorial set up by people who had come to know him. When residents learned his body had not been claimed, some decided to take action. Community organizes funeral St-Henri resident Caroline Jarry helped organize a GoFundMe campaign for a funeral. “We want him to be remembered with dignity,” she said. By Friday, the fundraiser created just three days earlier had donations from nearly 60 people. So far, more than $3,000 was raised — surpassing the original goal of $2,300. Organizers said any additional funds would be donated to Welcome Home Mission, a local organization supporting people experiencing homelessness. Jarry said many residents in the neighbourhood regularly checked in on Don while he was alive, bringing him food, warm clothing or other help — especially during the winter months. “In a way, he passed away in his home — the park, which he lived in for years,” she said. “And in a similar way, we the community, were all his extended family.” She also hopes his story can spark a broader conversation about how society treats people in the unhoused community — specifically, not to make them invisible. “They have a face, they have a story, they’re human,” Jarry said. “Even though they are people living on the margins of society, it’s important for them to receive a human touch and to be remembered.” Calls for better support Some neighbours said Don’s death also highlighted gaps in the systems meant to help vulnerable people. Sophie Pascal, who lives near the park, said it was difficult to watch him endure multiple harsh winters outside. “No human being should have to live four years — four winters of minus 24 C weather,” she said. “It’s no wonder his heart gave out at some point.” In some ways, Pascal said she credits neighbours with helping Don get through all those years. “I think the community helped keep him alive by caring for him,” she said. “And he gave back to us with his friendship.” While residents highlighted Don’s positive outlook on life, others also said he spoke about wanting more stability in his life. Rick Burcuvitz said the two sometimes talked about Don’s hopes for the future, including receiving his pension and eventually having a place of his own. “He was someone who simply seemed to have had bad luck in life,” Burcuvitz said. “He ended up here the same way any one of us could.” Despite the challenges he faced, residents said Don left a lasting impression on those who knew him. “He’s our friend, and we’re his family,” said Durbau-Benfeito. “Everybody was his family.” Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Home Mission, said outreach groups had tried to help Don access housing in the past. But he said the process of moving people off the streets remains all too complex and full of barriers. “The system failed Don,” Watts said. “Our systems need to be better organized so they can address the needs of someone like him, so he doesn’t have to live in a park or in an encampment by the road.” For the people who shared conversations with Don in the park over the years, the effort to organize a funeral is about ensuring he will not be forgotten. A date for the funeral has not yet been confirmed.
