March 20, 1930 – May 25, 2011
It is with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband and wonderful dad at the age of 81, after a brief battle with cancer.
Don was predeceased by his father William George, mother Mary Elizabeth (Fred) Emmott, his brother Harold (Doris), and his sister Grace Hayward.
He leaves behind his loving wife Joyce, his two children Tammie (Herb) Baragar and Michael (Alicia) and three grandchildren Michael Baragar, David and Michelle Stainton. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Don Hayward and many nieces and nephews.
Don was born in and graduated from high school in Nelson, B.C. He attended UVIC Normal School in Victoria and went on to become a teacher (grades 5&6) in Salmo B.C. He also drove ore truck, taxi, school bus, did janitor work at the school, and owned a men’s clothing store, all in Salmo.
Don joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1953, was an AI, a navigator, and a radio officer during his 20 years ofservice. He was stationed in North Bay, Ontario, and Quebec City where he met and married his wife Joyce. He went on to be stationed in Trenton and Ottawa, Ontario and finally Edmonton, Alberta where he retired from the Air Force in 1973.
We moved to Blind Bay, B.C. where we owned and operated the Shuswap KOA campground and then Salmon Arm Paving Company. In 1981 we purchased the ParksvilleEsso on Vancouver Island, operating it for seven years. Selling real estate, land development and building houses were just a few of his many pursuits before realizing that full retirement from work might be fun.
Don was an avid golfer and really enjoyed golfing with his buddies at the Qualicum BeachMemorial Golf Club. His other passion was playing duplicate bridge and his many bridge partners (opponents too) and friends and family can attest to his love of winning each game.
He loved to build things in his workshop at home, work on his “infamous” golf cart, design and build golf clubs, spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren (and their dogs) and he excelled at having many projects on the go at one time.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held on Monday June 6, 2011 at the Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church on Pym Street at 2:00 pm
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The War Amps, 1 Maybrook Drive, Scarborough, Ontario M1V 5K9 or to the charity of your choice.