THUNDER BAY — A generous bequest from a long-time supporter of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra will help ensure the orchestra finishes its fiscal year with a balanced budget.
When the late J. Donald Wilson passed away late last year, he left a six-figure donation to his beloved TBSO.
Like other organizations, COVID-19 has affected the TBSO's revenue because it had to cut its concert season short.
The orchestra's president, Linda Penner, describes Wilson as an enthusiastic supporter of the symphony "in every possible way."
Penner said "He was so very proud of our orchestra...he was struck by the high quality of music that we were able to produce in our relatively small city."
Wilson, she said, not only left the TBSO with an incredible monetary gift on his passing, but was also generous with donations of time and money over a period of many years.
"More than anything, just the modelling that he did for others, inspiring and encouraging others to come out and see what this city could produce, and to be part of the energy and excitement," Penner said.
Wilson began his career as a history professor at Lakehead University, before moving to the University of British Columbia.
He returned to Thunder Bay after retiring.
Penner said she believes he would want his final contribution to the TBSO to impress on other people how fortunate the city is to have an orchestra of this calibre.
Legacy gifts are used by the symphony to generate income in perpetuity.
