Dae-In Pak

Dae-in “Danny” Pak passed away, surrounded by his close family and friends, on July 14, 2026.

Born in 1937 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, he grew up at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, Seoul, where his father served as the temple's head Buddhist monk. His mother operated a restaurant whose food set the standard by which he judged every meal for the rest of his life.

At the outbreak of the Korean War, 13-year-old Danny supported his large family by working as an aide to the American army – a role that brought him far from home and close to the front lines. That strong sense of duty, along with his spirit of adventure, continued throughout his life, leading him to serve in the Republic of Korea Navy, work as a contractor supporting the U.S. Army in Vietnam, and eventually make his way to Canada.

Danny took long walks exploring Toronto, enjoyed spending time in parks, and had an uncanny knack for finding four-leaf clovers. As he made his way through the city, he was often greeted warmly by people he had known for decades, many of whom had stories of his kindness and the impact he had on their lives.

He was predeceased by his wife, Yong-Sook (Pat) Kim; survived and greatly missed by his daughters, Elizabeth (Clarke), Margaret, and Gail (Sean); his granddaughter, Yunah; his three younger sisters; and his best friend, Nam Yong Kim.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Heart & Stroke Foundation and become a regular blood donor.