Adrian Lawrence (Bird) Heenan

Adrian Lawrence Heenan, né Bird, age 74, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 14, 2021, with his daughters Alison and Sarah at his bedside, holding his hands. After a lengthy battle with cancer and many months of hospitalization at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Adrian has finally found peace.

Born in Hendon, London, on November 24, 1946, to his late parents Joyce and Stanley Bird, Adrian was also predeceased by his younger brother Paul, his ex-wife Sally, and his eldest daughter Megan. Adrian is survived by his daughter’s Alison and Sarah Bird and his grandchildren Jack and Ella Munck.

Adrian emigrated to Canada from England in the late 1960’s where he met and married Sally, né Sandra E. Ness and adopted her daughter Megan, né Lisa-Megan Ness. Adrian and Sally built a successful home renovation business in the 1980’s called ‘Armadillo Restorations’, and raised two more daughters, Alison and Sarah, while restoring old homes in Toronto. Adrian was also a talented painter and musician and later taught elementary and high school students as a substitute teacher for the TDSB.

Adrian spoke multiple languages, never forgot a name or date, taught himself to play multiple musical instruments and played music by ear, eventually forming a band in the 1980’s called The Rainbow Gardens Jazz Orchestra, for which he sang and played cornet. He also had attended every important rock concert in the swinging 60’s that you can name and produced a massive volume of artwork.

But more significantly than all of that, he was a loving and dedicated father to his daughters, as well as a very proud and doting grandfather to his grandchildren. Adrian, who had a zest for life, a strong personality, and a wonderful sense of humour, kept his family and the hospital staff laughing and smiling right to the end. He will be greatly missed.

Cremation has taken place and immediate family will hold a celebration of Adrian's life when gatherings are allowed.