In the early morning hours of Saturday, September 26, 2015 the passing of Arthur Donald Mutch came quietly at the Hillsborough Hospital's Unit 5, where he had been since 2007. Aged 85.
Donald was predeceased by his siblings Estelle, Charlie and Loyde. Donald is survived by Patricia (Gruchy), his loving wife of 62 years, and their children - Kathy (Winston Maund), Ian, Andrew (Lisa Plamondon), and Peter (Sylvia Abi Khattar). Sadly, their oldest son, Brian, died in a car accident in 1979. Their grandchildren include: Matthew, Meaghan, Jessica (Amanda Creamer), Emily, Christopher, Amy (Tyler Palmer), Becky (Brandon Biggers), Brian, and Hannah. Donald is also survived by Pat's twin brother, Justice David Gruchy (Betty), sister, Judith Townsend, and by many nieces and nephews.
The life of Donald Mutch touched many people. He worked the family farm in Mt. Mellick for years with his father, William J. and later, with his sons. In 1971, he was instrumental in establishing and directing the P.E.I. Hog Commodity Marketing Board and later, the P.E.I. Stabilization Fund and the P.E.I. Quality Swine programs. Donald was also a key player in the creation of Garden Province Meats. Following his retirement from the Board in 1992 he and Pat enjoyed camping, fishing, travelling, and their growing family. In 2000, he was inducted into the prestigious Maritime Pork Conference Hall of Fame and received the Pork Industry Contribution Award from the Hog Commodity Marketing Board. Throughout his life, Donald was involved with school, community, church, and choir activities. He had a beautiful bass voice where he sang in the church choir and with a men's group. Sadly, in 2000, Donald was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Later, when the disease had progressed to needing professional care, Donald moved to Unit 5 of the Hillsborough Hospital in Charlottetown. In recent years, Pat was invited to speak at various International Family Mediation summits, travelling as far away as Australia and Ireland, to share her experiences of how this disease can affect the lives of individuals, their spouses, and families.
The Mutch family is very grateful to the many people and groups who have made such a difference over the past years: especially the staff at the Hillsborough Hospital's Unit 5 for their loving and devoted care, support, and professional expertise. We also appreciate the St Andrew's United Church Choir for their monthly singing visits to the Hospital, reminding Donald of his love for music.
Resting at the Belvedere Funeral Home for visitation on Saturday, October 3, from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. The funeral will take place at St Andrew's United Church (Vernon) on Sunday, October 4, at 2 p.m., with interment in the church cemetery.
Family flowers only, please. All donations in Donald's memory may be made to the Hillsborough Hospital's Unit 5 or to St Andrew's Church Choir.
www.belvederefh.com

Condolences