Don passed away peacefully on May 21, 2020 at the age of 85 years. Don is survived by his sons Andrew (Abigail Aimes) and Bruce (Carol Collinge), and grandchildren Grace and Eve. Don was predeceased by his wife (Marion), parents (Bob and Muriel), and brother (Keith).
Don was born and raised in Gravenhurst, Ontario and attended Queen’s University (Arts ’57). A career in industrial relations and human resource management brought Don and his family from Toronto to Calgary in 1980, where he gradually retired in the early 1990’s. After an initial retirement period based in the Gravenhurst area, Don and Marion relocated to Victoria in 2006 where they remained.
Don was a thoughtful and generous man with many friends and loved ones. He enjoyed sports. He enjoyed reading. He was active in his Church. He adored his grandchildren. Don’s family would like to thank the staff at Victoria Hospice for their extraordinary care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the hospice https://victoriahospice.org or a charity of personal choice would be appreciated.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at a later date, when circumstances better allow for a gathering of family and friends.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Jackie and Eddy Folkers-Cowan
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Jackie and Eddy Folkers-Cowan Daar Brice, Andrew and familie
Our sinecure condoleances in the passing of your Catherine. Uncle Don was a Bert kind man.
Kind regards
Jackie and Eddy Folkers-Cowan
Netherlands
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David Whetter & Robin Whetter Dear Bruce, Andrew and families
Don was such a presence in his soft kind of way. I fondly remember a summer in Gravenhurst over60 years ago, marvelling at the humour and support provided by Don and Keith. Robin and I enjoyed our visits with Don over the last few years on our sporadic trips from Vancouver to Victoria. A truly kind, honest, and thoughtful man who will be missed.
Love from
David and Robin Whetter
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Rose and Kenny Mackenzie, Edinburgh We were so sad to hear of Don’s passing. We will remember him as a lovely gentleman.
May he rest in peaceRose and Kenny
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Nicola Cowan Dear Bruce, Andrew and family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your father.
Kind regards,
Nicola Cowan
Sweden
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Eleanor Ronald Lots of happy memories of your visits to Scotland.
Sadly missed.
Eleanor
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Scot Cowan Daar Bruce, Andrew and family,
My heartfelt condolences with the loss of uncle Don.
May your memories of him give you peace and comfort.Kind regards,
Scot Cowan
Netherlands
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Susan Galloway Dear Andrew and Bruce and families,
I am a first cousin to your Dad, Don and remember him with great affection. He brought Marion to meet my parents and me when they became engaged. Don was a happy, respectful person who was loved by his cousins as Marion became part of our family.
I talked to him after Marion died and he had certainly lost the love of his life but was well looked after by his sons. I will always remember how happy I felt after talking to him and respected his values and integrity. Weren’t we lucky to have had him in our lives.
Susan
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Denise De Pape My sincere condolences on the death of a kind and gentle man, and a good neighbour. I lived next door to Don at his condo in Victoria.
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Fred Cass Don was truly a wonderful man. We had the cottage next door to Don and Marion in Muskoka for many years and, although we stopped being cottage neighbours quite a while ago, I still think often of how fortunate I was to have known them both. For me, Don was a friendly, kind and thoughtful role model.
My most sincere condolences to the family.
Fred Cass
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stan drabek It was with great sadness that I read in the Globe and Mail the obituary on Donald’s passing.
Don and I were at Queens together and we both lived in Collins House for a couple of years and kept up our friendship intermittently over the years here in Calgary and at various Queens alumni reunions.
I always considered him a close friend over the years even when our contacts were few and far between.
He was in my mind a reliable and stalwart friend
My sincerest condolences to the family
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Donna Bradley and Wayne Fingas The news of Don’s passing has made it through the grapevine to those of us who worked with him years ago at TPF&C. I met Don 35 years ago as a recent university grad arriving in the consulting office for my first “real job”. He was a wonderful mentor and calming force in a busy office, always bringing his humour and kindness. His intelligent thoughts and beautiful handwriting flowed on the page. I still remember him telling me that on business trips, he would stuff pillows behind his back so he could still sleep without Marion beside him. When we were on a business trip, and I reported to him after a post-lunch pit stop that I needed to go to a drugstore, he flushed, and said sheepishly “OK”, and then I told him I had ripped my pantyhose. I’ll never forget his big laugh when he exclaimed “well don’t pull them up like they are hockey socks!” Years later, he was happy for me when I married a co-worker. I’m so glad Wayne and I were able to have a long conversation with him a few years ago as we planned a TPF&C re-union. Please let us know when there will be a celebration of Don’s life. Rest in Peace Don. You were a much loved and fondly remembered colleague. Donna and Wayne
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Anne MacLachlan Don left me and my family with many happy memories to reflect on, especially our times in Muskoka. Since he was from the area and we were the newbies, he was able to provide us with some practical advice that was so helpful. We had some wonderful dinners at Don and Marion’s home, and in turn, they would at times show up at our little log cottage with goodies from Don’s Bakery in Bala. Much good cheer was shared. After Don and Marion moved to Victoria we continued to keep in touch with cards and occasional calls. Later Don continued to keep in touch with all of the MacLachlans in Toronto when he visited the area. We would all meet for a catch up lunch at the same restaurant every year. Don and Marion were very welcoming and kind to me when I married Ron in 1963 and arrived in Toronto. I will always remember Don as kind, thoughtful, respectful, and a man who was a great example of decency and values. He will be remembered with great affection.
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Fely D.Diego We are so sorry that Grandpa has passed away,He was such a great,kind man and true gentleman, He always put others before himself,and will be missed by all of us,May our Lord bless and comfort the whole family during this time of grief.
Our Deepest Sympathy,
Fely Domingo Diego
& Family.
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Charlie O’Donnell Our sincerest condolences on Don’s passing. He was a good friend of the O’Donnell family and we were proud to have him in our lives. Don sometimes vacationed with us in BC. I will always remember is get up and go spirit at the lake. Touching on 80 he was still game to attempt the paddle board. We had some great laughs and Don was also kind enough to share his life experiences and wisdom over a glass of wine.
He was a treasure and will not soon be forgotten.The O’Donnell’s
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Mae Stewart Always remembered with much love and many happy memories. I will miss your phone calls Don.
R.I.P.
Love
Mae
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Amy McLuskie To all the family,
We were saddened to hear the news of Don’s passing. We will fondly remember him during his last visit to Scotland. We are thinking of you all, especially during these difficult times.
Lots of love
Amy, James and family xx
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Bob & Valerie Russell Don was the kind of man you were drawn to the moment you met him. He will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor and winning smile. Marion was the love of his life and we will always remember both of them with a certain fondness that cannot be forgotten. I was introduced to Don & Marion the first week I arrived in Canada and his and Marion’s friendliness left an impression that will always remain in our hearts
Our sincere condolences go to all of the family at this sad and difficult time.
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Ann Weyzig It’s with a very heavy heart I send my sincere condolences
To the macEachern family
Your dad was one of the nicest men I have known.
He was a great dad to his boys Bruce and Andrew and a good friend to his family and friends near and far.
Sending lots of love and strength, Don will live in our hearts
filling it with wonderful memories God bless ❤️
Ann Weyzig
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Bill and Nancy Duke Bruce and Andy,
Nancy and I will always remember your Dad as a real gentleman and a true friend. We will think of him always with great affection and miss him deeply, as we miss your Mum. It helps, however, to know that Don and Marion are together again.
Good Bless.
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Beryl & George Starke Dear Bruce, Andrew and your families,
We were so sorry and sad to hear of Don’s passing. He was a good friend and we will really miss him. We will always cherish the good times we had with Don and Marian. Don’s wonderful sense of humor will always be remembered.
You have our most sincere sympathy.George and Beryl
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Stewart & Ann Auld We were so sad to learn of Don’s passing. We will remember him as a lovely, fun, kind and charming person – as Stewart would say – you always wanted to be nice to Don. You will all miss him so much and we will remember the times in Victoria where he kindly let us share his home and the visit we had when Marion was alive. May he rest in peace.
Love from Ann and Stewart (Auld)
Daar Bruce, Andrew and familie
Our sincere condolences. We remember Uncle Don as a very kind man.
Kind regards
Jackie and Eddy Folkers-Cowan
Netherlands