Stories

Daniel T. Lawrie Fund

Daniel T Lawrie

Originally from Kilsyth Scotland, Daniel Taylor Lawrie emigrated to Canada in 1906 at the age of four and spent the rest of his life in Hamilton. Upon graduation form the Hamilton Technical Institute, he began a career in tool design at Westinghouse, later opening his own successful company, D.T. Lawrie machinery, selling equipment for lathes, milling machines and grinders. A competitive athlete, Mr. Lawrie won a gold medal for the Leander boat Club in 1929 at the Canadian Henley Regatta. He skied until he turned 85, hung up his tennis racket at 90 and had the honour of cutting the ribbon as the oldest member of the Hamilton Tennis Club when the new clubhouse opened in 1995.

Mr. Lawrie also became an accomplished musician, thanks to his father’s enterprising spirit. His brother, Alexander Lawrie, recalled, “To earn extra money for the family which had grown to include seven children, our father would take us to events like strawberry socials in various towns.. He would write songs about the town and the kids would entertain with traditional Scottish song and dance.” As a result, Daniel learned to play the violin and later performed with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. He also played the bagpipes with the 91st Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. After 48 years of marriage, Daniel Lawrie was predeceased by his wife, Mildred. When he died, his bagpipes were passed on to the band on condition that a piper would play at his funeral, a request gladly fulfilled by the heir.

In his will, he included gifts to the CNIB and Doric Lodge, of which he was a member and directed that the residue of his estate be forwarded to the Foundation for general charitable purposes in the community.

Excerpt from 1996-1997 Annual Report