In Memoriam Scholarship Established To Honour Industry Leader Don Gain
The Board of Trustees at Canadian Print Scholarships is saddened by the passing of industry veteran Don Gain at the end of December.
To honour Don’s industry leadership, Canadian Print Scholarships is establishing a fundraising campaign to create a scholarship named for him.
As a passionate supporter of the printing industry in Canada, Don served in many volunteer positions including nearly 15 years of service to Canadian Print Scholarships. He became involved in 2002 as a Trustee and within 3 years accepted the role of Chair of the Board.
Under his guidance, the organization thrived, and hundreds of students continued to receive Canadian Printing Industries Scholarships during a period of difficulty for the industry and its associations.
He received numerous awards for his service to the industry, was Chair of the Canadian Printing Industries Association, served on the Advisory Board at Ryerson University and was instrumental in development of the Heidelberg Centre for the Graphic Communications Management program at the school.
Don was President and owner of Harmony Printing for 28 years until he retired in 2016.
“I am proud and honoured to have called Don Gain my good friend and esteemed industry colleague. He was an outstanding person who will be sorely missed, a man who has left his indelible mark on the Canadian print industry. Don was tirelessly dedicated to improving and helping the industry on several fronts, and in his own quiet way, went about contributing his time, energy, passion and commitment to ensuring a strong, vibrant future for us all.” said Jeff Ekstein, Chair, Canadian Print Scholarships.
“Don Gain was one of those kind-hearted souls who made great contributions to our industry expecting nothing in return except to share his knowledge to help others. I was able to speak with Don shortly before he passed and thanked him for his contributions to our industry especially the scholarship funds and his time mentoring and helping young people. I’m honoured to contribute to this Memorial Scholarship,” added Jay Mandarino, President of CJ Graphics.
“Don Gain was a future focused leader with a passion for education and the youth aspiring to lead the industry he loved. A mentor to many and a friend to all, he championed the Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship Trust Fund with contagious passion, a big smile and magnetic charm. His leadership changed our industry, I am humbled to support this lasting recognition of his leadership,” said Sean Murray, President of Advocate Printing and Publishing.
The fundraising goal is $30,000. Donations can be made on-line at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/58501 or by contacting donate@printscholarships.ca
The Don Gain In Memoriam Scholarship – Donors
Jeff Ekstein
President, Willow Printing Group
“I am proud and honoured to have called Don Gain my good friend and esteemed industry colleague. He was an outstanding person who will be sorely missed, a man who has left his indelible mark on the Canadian print industry. Don was tirelessly dedicated to improving and helping the industry on several fronts, and in his own quiet way, went about contributing his time, energy, passion and commitment to ensuring a strong, vibrant future for us all.”
Jay Mandarino
President, CJ Graphics Inc.
“Don Gain was one of those kind-hearted souls who made great contributions to our industry expecting nothing in return except to share his knowledge to help others. I was able to speak with Don shortly before he passed and thanked him for his contributions to our industry especially the scholarship funds and his time mentoring and helping young people. I’m honoured to contribute to this Memorial Scholarship.”
Sean Murray
President, Advocate Printing & Publishing
“Don Gain was a future focused leader with a passion for education and the youth aspiring to lead the industry he loved. A mentor to many and a friend to all, he championed the Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship Trust Fund with contagious passion, a big smile and magnetic charm. His leadership changed our industry, I am humbled to support this lasting recognition of his leadership.”
Bruce Bond
President, Frank’s Maintenance Products Inc.
“I had the pleasure of working with Don as supplier from 2001 through 2011 and continued our relationship through the Canadian Printing Industry Scholarship Trust Fund. Don was an industry leader always working above and beyond as Chairman for the Trust Fund or lobbying the government on behalf of the industry as a whole. You always knew where you stood with Don (good or bad) and if you had his trust, he was a loyal supporter. Don always carried a genuine smile on his face that would put you at ease making it easy to build a lasting relationship. The industry will truly miss him.”
Bob Dale
Vice-President, Connecting For Results
“Don was someone who used a lot of his valuable time to give back to the industry over many years. A significant amount of his effort was to help young people prepare for the industry. This included his contributions to help build the new Ryerson GCM facility or building and leading the scholarship trust fund initiative. We are pleased to be able to help honour his memory by supporting this fund.”
Ian Baitz
Associate Professor, Ryerson University
“The new Don Gain Scholarship allows all industry members and partners to recognize Don’s longtime commitment to the success of the printing industries and Don’s focus on students. Supporting this worthwhile scholarship is a small way for us to remember Don’s many generous contributions to industry and support those studying hard to become the industry leaders of tomorrow.”
Richard Kouwenhoven
President, Hemlock Printers
“We are pleased to honour the legacy of Don Gain and his countless contributions to the Canadian Printing Industry over decades. His work with the Scholarship Trust Fund is responsible for inspiring and encouraging many talented students to join our industry which is so important for the future of our industry.”
Nikos Kallas
President, Metropolitan Fine Printers Inc.
“Don Gain was always a first class gentlemen and instrumental in supporting our industry, through supporting education and industry events. We are grateful to participate in a Canadian Print Scholarship to honor industry leader Don Gain and supporting the next generation of people joining our ever evolving and exciting industry.”
Bob Kadis
Retired, Harmony Printing
“I knew Don for nearly 30 years, working alongside him at OPIA and CPIA, and for him at Harmony Printing. He was a good friend and a highly principled advocate for the printing industry, alway thrilled to meet members of the ‘younger generation” who intended to enter the industry. Don will be missed by the many whose lives he touched.”
Ahmed Sagarwala
Founder, artform.ca
“I joined Harmony Printing Ltd. in 2008, immediately after graduating from Ryerson. Don Gain (or Senior as we’d call him) used to drop by and hi to me almost every morning. I always felt welcome to talk to the CEO anytime, especially for someone so early in their career.”
Jason Lisi
Chair, School of Graphic Communications Management, Ryerson University
“Don was a truly wonderful person with a big heart, who dedicated a lot of time supporting industry-focused education and students. Don was a great mentor for me (and many other people) when I was a student, and after graduation as I started my career. This scholarship is such a perfect way to honour Don’s memory and legacy, and I am proud to be a donor.”
Chad Friesen
President, Friesens Corporation
“Friesens Corporation is pleased to memorialize Don Gain in this way and to support students interested in the print industry.”
Michael Hill
Consultant, Packaging and Printing
“I was a trustee of CPISTF for many years and thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent working with Don for this great cause. Don’s contribution to the Printing Industry and the Scholarship Trust Fund are recognized by all industry stakeholders. A gentleman and a great friend – he will be missed by us all.”
Mike Downs
Executive Vice President, Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital Ltd.
“Don was an amazing man and a great ambassador to the industry. This fund will be a great tribute to his legacy.”
Ron Schroder
Chairman, Mackenzie Printery & Newspaper Museum
“I met Don Gain in 2013 as he introduced my industry, Flexography to the CPISTF as a scholarship sponsor. He welcomed me as a Board member always demonstrating his passion and support for the furtherment of education in the graphic communication field. No more fitting tribute to this gentleman can be made than to contribute to a scholarship in his name.”
Mike Meschkati
President, SinaLite
“We at Sinalite like to remember Don Gain and his contribution to the printing industry. We are pleased to be able to help honour his memory by supporting this fund.”
Jamie Barbieri
President, PDI
“PDI is very pleased to support the Canadian Print Scholarship created in honour of Don Gain and in recognition for his many accomplishments and efforts in support of a stronger and unified Canadian Printing Industry.”
Willy Wilkins
Retired
“There are few individuals that may be classified as industry leaders. Don was one of them. Many young people today, and in the future, will enjoy a rewarding career in the printing industries resulting from the dedication Don gave. We are all the better for having known him and worked with him.”
John Greenhough
Retired
“The industry has lost a great friend and leader. With his warm personality he was immediately likeable. You always knew you were with a quality individual. His passion for his business was matched so eminently with his tireless work for the Scholarship Trust Fund. There will be many graphic industry leaders of the future who have been the beneficiaries of his dedicated work. To the end, Don was a gentleman’s gentleman and on a personal level, his large presence and warm smile will be missed by all of us.”
John Conway
Retired
“The printing industry has been a great place to work, meeting many wonderful people such as Don Gain, along the way. All the best to the recipients of the printing scholarship fund.”
Stephen Longmire
President, Digital Imaging Association
“The Digital Imaging Association is pleased to make a donation to the Don Gain Memorial Scholarship Campaign on behalf of our panelist, members and sponsors. Don Gain was a statesman like no other in our Industry and we are proud to honour Don and his contribution to the Graphic Imaging Sciences Industry. We feel that Canadian Print Scholarships is a worthy vessel for such recognition.”
April Burke
“Don’s contributions to our industry and to Ryerson will be his legacy. I am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to the scholarship in his name.”
The mission of the Canadian Printing Industries Scholarship Trust Fund is to attract the brightest and best students available to the graphic communications industry by providing financial assistance to enroll and continue in a post-secondary management or technical program at an approved institution.
