It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Desmond Kortright Lam on April 27, 2022. Desmond was born in British Guyana on October 17, 1945, to Margaret and Victor Lam, then moved to Trinidad and ultimately settled in Toronto and London. Desmond enjoyed life with a large extended family both natural and by marriage. Desmond’s sisters, Barbara Choeng-Kee Fung (Lloyd Choeng-Kee) of Scarborough, June Smith of Fergus and his brother John Lam (Enez) of Scarborough have been a kind and loving part of his life. Many nieces and nephews enjoyed his genuine interest in their lives and the encouragement he offered.

Desmond had 2 children Heidi Palij and Randy Lam who were never far from his thoughts and held a special spot in his heart. Elizabeth and Desmond spent 44 years together and raised a lovely daughter, Nicole, who brought such joy to him.

Desmond married into the Van Den Akker family including Nell (John Howse), Rickey Ager, Ken (Janet), John (2022) (Frances), Fritz (Dianne), Teresa Johnston, Mary (Joe Joosten), Paul (2016) (Laura Gibson) and Angela (Paul Andersen). He will be sorely missed by the “outlaws” John, Joe, Paul and Laura – golfers and masters of tall tales of “commiseration” for having married one of those Van Den Akkers. There are far too many nieces and nephews to mention by name, but each gave Des many moments of warmth and laughter especially at Langarth.

Desmond enjoyed cooking, golfing, fishing, cycling and “endured” the annual family camping week for almost 25 years. He volunteered at Holy Family Parish for many years as head usher and missed this sense of community during COVID.

We have been fortunate to have had him in our lives and we will remember him as gentle soul.


Funeral arrangements have been made for Monday, May 02, 2022 at Meadowvale Funeral Home and Cemetery Visitation will be at 1:00, service at 2:00 and interment immediately after. Please be prepared to wear a mask while indoors.

In lieu of flowers, please direct a donation if you wish to “Friends of the Pinery Provincial Park”. He had many fun times there with friends and family. Friends of the Pinery