September 9, 1929 - January 13, 2021
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Poppa and Great Poppa, Don Ashbee. Dad passed away in Parksville, January 13th, 2021 in his 91st year.
He was born September 9th, 1929 in Weston, Ontario to Bill and Clara Ashbee, the second oldest of 6 children. He was always a prankster with a wicked sense of humour and a matching wit. Anyone whoever spent any time with him will certainly attest to this. There are a lot of people out there, of all ages who have a Don Ashbee story or two.
Dad was always a very gifted athlete in several sports. He played hockey on five National Teams in four different hockey leagues in Eastern Canada, the United States and Western Canada. He also had a shot at the NHL, but moved West before this developed. He is also in both the Canadian and B.C. Hall of Fame for Lacrosse.
Dad met, fell in love and married the love of his life, Dorothy Goring on December 10th, 1949. They were inseparable and in recent years with Mom's health failing Dad visited every single day, taking her on long walks and staying all afternoon, until her passing in June 2018.
Being the very colourful character that he was, Dad pursued all his dreams with unbounded passion and created his amazing life. He ended up in B.C. after coming out from the East with Peterborough to play the West for the Mann Cup. Well, someone took him steelhead fishing and the rest is history. Within a year, he packed up his wife and family, then 3 children and headed West.
In 1956, Dad then played for the Nanaimo Timbermen and they WON the Mann Cup. Pictures and murals of this team are on the wall of the NIC and also in the Nanaimo Museum.
In the mid 1970's, Dad left his job with BC Telephone to pursue yet another dream he had...owning a fishboat. In true Don Ashbee fashion he bought the Edna F and a new adventure unfolded. This era of Mom and Dad's life was their most magical and memorable and they spoke of it often.
Dad loved us all and told us this, especially in his later years. He was also very loved in return, by not just family, but many, many friends of all ages. We often said he was like a people magnet. As a family we are eternally grateful for Dad's spirit, love and humour, which created so many larger than life moments and memories all throughout our lives. We will also remember that he was very grateful for his great big life and considered himself to be very fortunate.
Dad is survived by his five children: Pete(Cris), Carey(Bob), Phil, Cindi and Jenno(Gary): and 13 grandchildren: Erin, Matt, Lauren, Abe, Adam, Taylor, Kyle, Rachel, Daina, Zoe, Roz, Sam and James as well as 14 great grandchildren, who referred to him as Great Poppa: Denman, Liam, Brennan, Milan, Levi, Avi, Watson, Westyn, Ashbee, Finn, McKinley, Thoren, Lief and Adelaine.
There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they are gone, that light remains. This is how we shall remember our Dad...picturing him right now playing Buck Owen's "Together Again" and snuggling our Mom. Later maybe...a little euchre or horseshoes with Uncles Barry, Garn and Clarke.
We miss you Dad. XXOX
No service is planned at this time.