It is with sadness that we announce the sudden death of Don on January 31, 2009. Born August 28, 1951 in Victoria, BC. He will be greatly missed by his loving mother, Louise; wife, Debbie; son, Dustin (Christie) and daughter Shannon. He was predeceased by his father, Dr. Victor Marnell (1982). In Don’s younger years, he could be found on the tennis courts at the Victoria Racquet Club, Stadacona and Oak Bay Recreation Centre. He was an avid tennis player and made many lifelong friends through his years of competitive tennis. Don was an active father and he played a prominent role in the Lakehill Little League Organization. His passion for the game was an inspiration for his children and many others he coached. The hours at the baseball diamond flipping burgers and grooming the infield led to many strong family friendships. Fond memories were created for the entire family on Saltspring Island and on many camping trips to Gordon Bay. A good book, friends, a home cooked meal and great tunes were sources of pleasure in Don’s life. He will be remembered for his competitive spirit, generosity and kind heart. He was a true gentleman and will be greatly missed.
A private family service of Don’s life will be held.
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Dave Johnston
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Kim MacRae (Firth) Dear Debbie,
I recently heard about Don’s sudden passing, and wanted to send you a note to say my thoughts are with you.
Kim MacRae (Firth)
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Michael Smith Dearest Aunt Louise, Debbie ( Shannon and Dustin, whom I haven’t met )
I received your note today and was truly saddened by the news. Don was my first best friend. From Royston Beach to Cowichan and Loveland Lakes we were inseparable; hunting and fishing and exploring the new worlds. In our teens, we saw less and less of each other, but when we did meet we would always reminisce about those great times. Then I moved away and we lost touch for
thirty years or more. We once again met a couple of years back and quickly rekindled our old friendship. We were looking forward to meeting again, but fate has intervened.
Deb, you should know that Don spoke highly of you and was very proud of his Kids. I will truly miss him.Sincerely,
Mike
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JAMES D . ALLAN THE HILLS OF MAPLE BAY DURING THE1950’S AND EARLY SIXTIES WERE OUR OWN UNIQUE AND PRIVATE WORLD OF MYSTERY AND IMAGINATION . OUR MUTUAL AND INTER TWINED LIVES GREW FROM INFANCY TO ADULTHOOD WITHIN THE SILENCE OF THE PASSAGE OF DAY AND NIGHT.
THOSE LONG WALKS OF SILENCE AND LAUGHTER DURING THE DAY AND THE DARKNESS OF NIGHT WILL BE FOREVER IMPRINTED UPON THE SHALE HILLS WHICH YOU I CLIMBED TOGETHER . WE WERE ONE AND AT TIMES WE WERE MANY BUT MOST OF ALL WE WERE THERE TOGETHER.
LIFE’S SEASONS OF JOURNIES GREW SHORTER AS WE GREW FROM INFANCY TO TEENAGERS AND THEN TO MEN. YOU WENT YOUR WAY AND I WENT MINE TO DIFFERENT HORIZONS PAST THE PERIMETER OF THE BAY. THE DOORWAY OF THAT MAGICAL KINGDOM WHICH YOU AND I ONCE ROAMED FREELY PULLED UP IT’S DRAWBRIDGE AND WE NEVER STRODE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AGAIN UPON ITS WARM AND EMBRACING SHORES.
OUR FAMILY AND BROTHERLY BLOODLINES RUN DEEP ; OUR LINEAGE OF INDIVIDUAL STRENGHTS AND MORTAL WEAKNESS WILL NO DOUBT REKINDLE IN OUR YOUNGER GENERATIONS WHO ARE LEFT TO FOLLOW.
YOUR SPIRITUAL CALL UPON THAT DEPARTURE NIGHT DID NOT GO UNNOTICED AND YOUR VOICE WAS HEARD UPON THE STILLNESS OF THE BREAKING DAWN’S TWILIGHT.
CONTINUE TO CLEAR THE OVERGROWN PATH UPON THE HILL OF THE BAY . I TOO WILL JOIN YOU SOMEDAY ; SHOULDER TO SHOULDER AS WE ONCE STRODE STRONG AND YOUNG ON THE HILL TOPS OF THE MOUNT ABOVE THE BAY.
HEAR THE BELL ECHO FROM BELOW ; FOR GRAND AND GRANDFATHER HAVE ONCE AGAIN SET ANOTHER WARM MEAL FOR THE RETURN OF THEIR WANDERING YOUNG WARRIORS OF THE BAY.
DEATH IS A PRIVATE AFFAIR ; I DID NOT KNOCK , I DID NOT ENTER ; HOWEVEVER I HAD NEVER LEFT YOUR SIDE. I SHALL NOT BE INTRIPID NOR FILLED WITH DOUBT FOR I KNOW YOU HAVE ONCE AGAIN CLEARED THE WAY .
RESPECTFULLY ; JAMES D. ALLAN
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Margaret Dyer I am so very sorry to hear of your loss.
Dear Louise, my thoughts are with you.
To the family, I wish you to know how sorry
I am that Donald is no longer with you.Bless you all,
With love, Margaret Dyer
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Thomas Cole Debbie My thoughts of you guys from the old days are among my fondest memories. I am so sorry for your lose. Don and I kept in touch by phone thru the years and as recently as last fall we spoke of him coming to Sooke for a visit to see my garden that I always bragged about to him,But he didnt phone me back and I didn’t follow up either and now its too late.It only shows again don’t wait doit now or it may not ever be. I shud leave off now and again say that the Don I knew was the life of the party and we shared probably a few too many. But in the end I will not judge him,but say goodbye to a man that I always proudly called my friend.
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Jean Melvin Debbie, Dustin and Shannon, I have many fond thoughts of Don when I was your back yard neighbour on Bow Road. I was always so impressed at how Don would play with the kids when they were little and he spoke so kindly to them. Whenever I needed a hand in the yard, Don was always quick to lend a hand. He was a kind and thoughtful man. My sympathies go out to you all for your loss.
Sincerely,
Jean Melvin
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Judy & Ken Langford Louise, Deb, Dustin & Shannon,
We were so saddened by the news of Don’s death. He was a fine person – smart, funny and charming, always a pleasure to see. We are very sorry for your loss.
Judy and Ken Langford
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The Leeson family To the Marnell family; We were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We all have great memories of Don from Little League, soccer and around the neighbourhood through the years. Please accept our sincere condolences at your loss.
Karen, Roy and Ian Leeson
Heather Chan
Louise Wilson
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Kathy Mitten Debbie, I will never forget that you and Don were there for me during the most difficult time of my life, and my heart goes out to your family now. Don was a good friend to Gary and I, and he always had a smile and something positive to contribute whenever he was around.
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Corrine Paul Aunt Louise, Debbie, Dustin and Shannon. I was so sad to hear about Don’s passing. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. I have many wonderful memories of Don and the great guy he was. He will forever live in our hearts and our memories. I’m sending you all of my love! Hugs 🙂
Hello to Don’s family, As a young tennis player from Vancouver in the mid 60’s I played Don many times in tournaments. We thought we knew all the players from the Island until one day Don appeared out of nowhere and beat us all. We returned to practice determined to raise our games up to his level. I ran into him years later at a tennis banquet in Vancouver when he was involved in tennis development on the Island as I was in Vanvouver.
Always a tough but very fair competitor.
So sorry to hear of his passing.