passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of December 17th at the age of 66 after a courageous battle with Cancer. Dan was born to loving parents Bert (Bus) Stuckey and Joy (Berry) Stuckey in Toronto, Ontario and had a large family to be a part of as one of six children - David Stuckey (Patricia), Peter Stuckey (Betty) and sister Barbara Stuckey (Neil), predeceased by brothers Vern Stuckey (Vicky) and Mark Stuckey.
The family moved to Wyebridge when he was 4 years old, this environment gave him more opportunity to explore and build the lifelong love of nature that became a cornerstone of his life. He attended public school in Midland and graduated from Penetanguishene Secondary School before attending a nature program at Seneca College at their King Campus. Following college Dan worked at the Kortright Center for Conservation where he became a leading expert in his field providing tours and insight to countless visitors over the years as well as interviews and appearances on television (if you search “Dan Stuckey birding” you can still find some of his TVO appearances today).
Following Kortright he became a professor teaching back where he was originally a student at Seneca College. Dan was also a talented artist and musician, often recreating hand drawn depictions of the birds he enjoyed watching and tracking so fondly and was happy to play a tune with friends on the banjo. He had also accumulated a birding life list close to 300, almost all in the local area. Dan will be missed by his family, friends and the birding community with which he was so connected to.
A private remembrance will be held at a future date with close family and friends, and if you would like to donate in his memory some of his favorite charities were:
- Nature Conservancy of Canada
- Birds Canada
- Ontario Nature
- Cancer Foundation
- Heart Foundation
- South Lake Medical Center
Condolences can be made at www.leclaircremationcentre.ca