For nearly 60 years Donnie Habel sold or delivered The London Free Press with a boundless enthusiasm that was all the more striking because of a disease that severely stunted his growth.

Only 3-foot-9, Habel began selling papers at a newsstand at Dundas and Richmond streets, then took up the route inside St. Joseph’s Health Care, where he became a fixture and source of goodwill, his high-pitched whistle echoing in the hallways.

That life of optimism ended Friday when Habel died at age 80 after a bout with pneumonia.

That he overcame physical disability — caused by a bone-eating disease — was remarkable. But there were other, deeper burdens, too.

By many accounts, Habel suffered though an awful childhood, including being dropped off at the doorstep of an orphanage.

But those experiences never were a barrier.

“He was the epitome of perseverance. He rose above all challenges,” said Christine Gysemans, a longtime co-worker at St. Joe’s and for 31 years a close friend of Habel.

The newspapers he sold were filled with stories he couldn’t read — he was illiterate — but he re-told what he thought were the stories all the same, piecing together a narrative from the photographs.

Apparent to everyone was his passion for his work, his friends and his countless volunteer ventures.

“Donnie was a character. People were drawn to him because of his personality. I always considered him family,” Gysemans said.

That sort of connection found Habel an adopted home — pharmacist Bill Johnston brought him into his London home in 1962 and he remained until 1999.

“He was like a brother to us,” said Johnston’s eldest son, Ron.

When Ron and his friends wanted to join the first men’s slow-pitch league, Habel found them a sponsor and managed the team.

“He’s going to be greatly missed,” Ron Johnston said.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel in London. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Memorial donations may be made to Mount Hope Recreation Therapy.

jonathan.sher@sunmedia.ca