January 21,1932 – May 10, 2016
Don slipped peacefully away in his sleep in the afternoon of May 10 at his home in Christenson Village. Don was predeceased by his wife Maureen. They were married for 61 years.
Don was born in Trail, BC and began his work life as a child, delivering the Victoria newspaper at five am. At the age of seventeen, Don joined his father in independent logging at Roberts Creek and logged on the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. Don worked on the Kemano project as an overhead crane operator until 1954 when he met and married Maureen Ross and returned to logging until his career was ended by a painful accident that nearly severed his leg. Don worked for Blackball Ferries, then BC Ferries and then as a truck driver for Peninsula Transport, finally retiring in 1985 for a life of golf.
Don was always passionate about sports. He started football for boys in Gibsons, coached girl’s softball, and taught young people how to play golf. He was a founding member of the Sunshine Coast Golf Club and helped to build the Roberts Creek Golf Course.
Many people will remember him for his wonderful smile and the twinkle in his blue eyes. He loved music, picking blackberries and blueberries and wild mushrooms on the mountain, and spending time skipping rocks on the beach with his six grandchildren.
Don is survived by his three sons John (Eleanor) Steve (Sue), and Tom (Melanie) and his six grandchildren Chelsea, Colwyn, Sebastian, Harrison, Matthew and Graeme, as well as his brother Richard (Dick) of Vancouver.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Christenson Village for the love and care they gave him during his time there.
Date for a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Christenson Village Care Home.