GATES, Donald Franklin “Donnie”. Age 90, of Aylesford, Kings Co., passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2017, in Mountain Lea Lodge, Bridgetown. Born on September 8, 1926 he was a son of the late Frederick and Madeline (Keddy) Gates. Donnie was the second last surviving member of his immediate family. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for 27 years. After that he went on to own and operate his own fruit and vegetable farm, employing many locals in the strawberry and corn fields, even many of the family children. Donnie was a member of the Millville 60+ club and he played Santa for the Aylesford Fire Dept. for 27 years bringing much joy to many children. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed teasing the children for hours. Donnie and Violet spent hours every Easter preparing the annual kids Easter egg hunt, much love was always put into it and every one of the kids enjoyed it. He loved music and he and Violet would spend summer weekends camping and taking in the music festivals at the campground, when they could. They also attended many community variety shows over the years and Donnie “bid up” many pies at the pie sales. Donnie is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Violet (Meldrum); daughter, Kathy (Brian) Morse; son, Tommy (Adrienne); daughter-in-law, Glenna Gates; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter; sister, Jean McNeil; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Richard; brothers, Russell, Boyd and Max; sisters, Mildred Morse and Marjorie Bower. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317). A private family burial will be held in Aylesford Union Cemetery, followed by a public memorial service to celebrate Donnie’s life on Friday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m., in Morristown Baptist Church, 6557 Aylesford Rd., Rev. Chad Clements officiating. A reception will follow in the Morristown Community Hall, 10 Prospect Rd., Morristown. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Donnie may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca