Born in Ste. Anne Manitoba on March 21, 1947, Don left this life as he lived it, with great dignity, on March 13, 2013 in Victoria BC. He is mourned by his wife Andrée Chénier and son Gabriel Chénier Demers; his sister Linda Demers Friesen and brother Gilbert Demers (Annette Bouchard); niece Vanessa Noël (Marc, Ben and Max) and nephew Evan Friesen. He also leaves good friends and family in British Columbia, Manitoba and across the country. He is predeceased by his parents, Omer Demers of Ste. Anne Manitoba and Rolande Demers (Barrette) of Fannystele Manitoba.
Don started his distinguished career in criminal justice as a Living Unit Officer at Drumheller Institution in 1973. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Alberta (1978) while working as a Parole Officer in Edmonton and as a researcher for the Programs Branch of the Solicitor General of Canada. During the course of his career, he conducted research projects and directed major policy and operational initiatives in corrections at the federal and provincial levels, ranging from the implementation of the Young Offenders Act to the reorganizations of correctional systems in Manitoba and British Columbia. His management experience included Head of Manitoba Corrections, Head of BC Corrections, Regional Deputy Commissioner (Pacific) Correctional Service Canada (CSC), and Senior Deputy Commissioner (CSC). He was acknowledged by his peers across the country for his leadership, insight, judgment, integrity, skills in reorganization and fiscal planning, and his dedication to the public interest.
Notwithstanding his commitment to duty, Don’s transition to retirement in 2007 was an easy one. Don was a lover of the written word, a student of history, a birdwatcher, and traveler — he loved Paris best of all, he would walk for miles, observe, and learn. He was a maker of lists, a great romantic. He had a lifelong interest in sports, played baseball and football as a youth and young adult and loved baseball parks and road trips. He had a wonderful sense of humour and quick wit that delighted all who came in contact with him.
The four years following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were precious ones. Though fraught with difficult periods, he took advantage of the time to pursue the activities he loved and spend time with the people dearest to him.
He cherished his time with his beloved wife and son.
He was a humble and gentle man.
Mass and Interment in Ste. Anne Manitoba will follow at a later date. Donations may be made to the Correctional and Justice Programs of the Salvation Army. Condolences or memories of Don’s life can be directed below.
41 Responses
Je suis de tout coeur avec toi et Gabriel dans ces moments difficiles, recevez mes plus sincères condoléances.
Chère Andrée et Gabriel,
Vous êtes dans nos pensées. On n’a pas connu Don très bien mais on voyait facilement qu’il était un bon homme.
On vous embrasse fort, Jeannine, Ted, Gabriel et Pilar
Ma chère Andrée!
Mes plus sincères condoléances à toi et ta famille!! Mes pensées sont avec toi! J’ai bien hâte de te revoir et je te lance aussi l’invitation : appelle-moi si tu viens à Ottawa 😉
Manon xo
Ma chère Andrée,
Mes sincères condoléances.
Je penses beaucoup à toi et à ta famille.
Si tu viens à Ottawa, fais moi signe.
xox
Mes plus sincères condoléances.. Ce fut toujours un plaisir de collaborer avec Don dans le cadre de mes fonctions à la Commission des libérations conditionnelles du Canada.
I want to express my sincere sympathy on Don’s passing.I first met Don during the negtotiations on the Young Offenders Act . Although we represented different jurisdictions, he was an absolute pleasure to work with. He had that rare characteristic of being able to marry common sense with a long term vision of the strategic goal of the initiative.
I hope you will be comforted in the knowledge that he was respected by his provincial/territorial as a person who demonstrated great humanity and vision.
Shulamith Medjuck
Our sincere condolences to you Andree and Gabriel. It is a sad day when a good and loving person dies. Thinking of Don makes one think of integrity and dedication to excellent service to the public but also someone to whom his spouse and son were a bright and constant presence in his life. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Heaven is high, Earth Wide. Bitter between them flies my sorrow.
Li Po
Nos plus sincères condoléances à toi, Andrée, ton garçon Garbriel et toute la famille élargie. Nous pensons à vous en ces moments difficiles.
Mes sincères sympathies Andrée, mes pensée sont avec toi dans ces moments difficiles.
My deepest condolences to Andree and Gabriel. It was with great sadness upon hearing of my Uncle Don’s passing. I will always remember him as a great warm, kind and friendly person.
I have great memories of how Don would love to drive that old Blue Caravan of his across country from Victoria to Ste-Anne or to whatever other road trip destination he had in mind.
Don will always be cherished and missed deeply.