Don died peacefully,
surrounded by his family, on September 14, 2006 at Cowichan District Hospital. He is pre-deceased by his wife Beth in 2005 and is survived by their five children – David (Cindy), Paul, Lynn (Nick), Mary (Deborah), John (Mary), and their seven grandchildren (Carly, Jennifer, Austin, Colin, Dayna, Kirin, and Jasmine). Don was born in Winnipeg but soon moved to Vancouver where he spent his youth before moving to Vancouver Island. He entered the Cowichan Valley forest industry in the late1930’s. Don spent 40 years at Western Forest Industries in Honeymoon Bay beginning as First Aid attendant and retiring as Manager and corporate Vice-President in 1981. Don was also very involved in a wide range of aspects of the forest industry throughout BC - as a consultant, as a director of Seaboard Lumber and as chairman of the provincial Timber Export Advisory Committee. Don had a long, distinguished and active involvement in community building including the construction of the Cowichan District Hospital, Malaspina College in Nanaimo and Cedar Lodge/Skaleen Village in Cobble Hill. Don was a past president of the Duncan Rotary Club, founding president of the South Cowichan Rotary Club and past Governor of District 5020 of Rotary International and remained a participating member until his death. Don was an active member of the Duncan and Lake Cowichan United Churches and was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge. Other community organizations he was part of included Shriners, Probus, Crime Stoppers, Community Futures, Scouts, the Lake Cowichan School Board, and the BC Parole Board. He enjoyed golf, fishing ,curling, traveling with his wife and spending time with family and friends. The family would like to offer thanks for the care given to Dad by Dr. Len Roy, the staff at Cowichan District Hospital and Cerwydden Care. An extra special thank you is extended to his caregiver and friend Donna Lowres. A celebration of Don’s life was held on Saturday, September 23rd at 3:00 pm at Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram, followed by a reception at the Travelodge Silver Bridge Inn. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dons’ name may be made to a charity of your choice.