For decades, the man known as “Doc” opened up his North York home to a diverse group of youths, many of them Indigenous artists and musicians, including some who had been in trouble with the law.

It was a continuation of Dr. Paul Morgan’s lifelong pattern — using his earnings as a top Toronto oral surgeon to support the less fortunate, said Michael Lavelle, a lifelong family friend, on Thursday.

“The house was known all over; the door is open, food is in the fridge, be nice to the dog,” Lavelle said.

On Tuesday morning, the 79-year-old retired dentist and philanthropist was found dead inside that two-storey home at 42 Howard Dr., near Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue East.

No arrests have been made and investigators are still looking to speak to anyone who had contact with Morgan on or after Good Friday, homicide Det.-Sgt. Keri Fernandes said Thursday. His cause of death has not been released, though Fernandes said there were “obvious signs of trauma.”

“This is awful news! I’m sad and angry,” Ray Fox, a northern Ontario artist, wrote in an online post. “Dr. Paul Morgan had a huge heart of gold and was so selfless in helping people, finding opportunities for folks, and giving back to the community.”

Last year, the Sault Ste. Marie Star published a story that Morgan once lent Fox a Toronto apartment equipped with paints and canvases.

In February 2012, Morgan received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for his contributions to a variety of projects.

“He has given his time and expertise to support breakfast programs, arts activities and sports events for First Nation communities, as well as youth at risk. Dr. Morgan has also performed many free oral surgeries during his career,” says the Governor General of Canada website.

Lavelle said his late father was best friends with Morgan. When they were coaching sports — Michael Lavelle Sr. at St. Michael’s College and “Doc” at opposing De La Salle College, they both embraced the philanthropic spirit.

“They ran a camp and would pick kids out and work at trying to get them scholarships, get kids who had some athletic talent some opportunities who couldn’t afford it. They raised money and put a lot of kids through university,” Lavelle said.

“They were a team for many years.”

Morgan came from an affluent background — his father and grandfather were both doctors — but money wasn’t something that mattered to him — “that was the best thing about him,” said Lavelle.

“And that’s also what led a lot of people to take advantage of him. But that was the Doc. He lived and died with it. It’s not poetic justice, but it’s a poetic end to this beautiful life.”

Morgan’s deep connections to First Nations formed years ago when an Indigenous youth introduced Morgan to his community, Lavelle said.

“Doc saw what was an incredible crisis with residential schools; he was so adamantly opposed to it. He was early on in his understanding of this incredible culture.”

In 1991, Morgan bought Blue Fox Camp, a fishing resort on Kirkpatrick Lake, just outside Blind River. Ont.

“Dr. Morgan (or Doc as he’s known throughout the area) was the first to push for sustainable fishing practices, to try and combat the fish-and-take mentality from previous generations. Dr. Morgan recognized the beauty and uniqueness of the Blue Lake region and was instrumental in restoring the fishery to where it is today,” says the Blue Fox Camp website.

But things had taken a disturbing turn in the last 36 months, Lavelle said.

Morgan lost sight in one eye and was unable to drive. He also had several falls and suffered greatly when Lavelle’s dad died.

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Recently, Lavelle said there were a series of “incidents” involving some of Morgan’s house guests. Police were called. He was spending much of his time in his bedroom but insisted everything was fine.

“Doc wouldn’t listen, no matter what.”

Morgan never married or had any children but maintained a long-distance relationship with an American woman, Lavelle said.

“We were his family,” he said.