Age 92, Truro, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, June 21, 2019, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Truro, he was a son of the late Herbert Allan and Hazel (Higgins) Mitchell. Along with his parents, Don was predeceased by his wife, Joyce (Bainbridge) Mitchell; brother, Lloyd; sister, Ruth. He was a graduate of Colchester County Academy, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, McGill University, Mount Allison University and University of Alberta; he did post-graduate study at Mount Saint Vincent University. Don served with Town of Truro and Colchester East Hants Amalgamated School Boards for many years, retiring as a System Supervisor in 1986. He was a former high school teacher in Middle Musquodoboit, Onslow, Truro Academy and elementary school principal in Truro at Willow Street School, Victoria Street School and Princess Margaret Rose School. Don was a former Air Cadet instructor, a land surveyor throughout Nova Scotia with MMRA, and was associated with the Atlantic Provinces Examining Board for many years. At the time of his death he was a member of Nova Scotia Retired Teachers Association. He was a noted athlete in his younger years, playing hockey, basketball and rugby, and later captaining his university hockey team. He also acted as a hockey coach and referee. He was a past President of Truro Kiwanis Club, Truro Curling Club and Truro and District Hockey League. He served on Nova Scotia Teachers Union Provincial Executive and First United Church Board of Stewards. He and his wife, Joyce, volunteered with the local Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Canadian Red Cross and MS Society. He and Joyce wintered in Florida upon retirement and travelled throughout Great Britain and France. Summers were spent at the cottage at Brule Point where he could be found “puttering”, which was chiefly mowing the lawn or replacing the stairs to the beach, which he loved doing, even though he complained. Don was an avid reader, especially WWII espionage novels, baseball fan and card player. He was a member of Truro Duplicate Bridge Club, Senior Games Executive and a long-time member of Sunrise Golf Club at Brule Point. Don is survived by his daughter, Donna (Rick) Parker, Wentworth; son, David (Tracey Slack), Truro. He is remembered as Papa/Poppa to his grandsons, Jesse (Brooke Risdon) Parker, Cheadle, Alberta; Daniel (Keely MacNeill) Parker, Fall River; Stephen (Karyn Galloway) Parker, Calgary, Alberta; Sean (Heather Fanning) Mitchell, Calgary, Alberta; Patrick Mitchell (Kathleen Allen), Halifax; Ryan Mitchell, Truro; great grandchildren, Nolan, Meleah and Rhett Parker, Cheadle, Alberta; Emily and Blake Parker, Fall River; Finley Parker, Calgary. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Anne (Audas) Mitchell, Truro; nieces Janet (Ken) Colwell, West Hartford, Connecticut; Susan (Steve) Smith, Halifax; Lorie Mitchell (Tom Sneddon), Halifax; Ruth Mitchell, Truro. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Truro Branch of Colchester East Hants Public Library, who for many years have met his requests for books, and to the nurses and doctors of the ICU and Medical Unit (2nd and 3rd floor) at Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where the funeral service will be held 2 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2019, Reverend Carolyn Wilson Wynne officiating. Reception will follow. Interment in Watson Cemetery, 1997 Prince Street, Truro. If so desired, donations in Don’s memory to Colchester-East Hants Public Library Foundation (www.lovemylibrary.info) or charity of your choice are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Don’s obituary on-line and selecting “Send A Condolence” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com