November 15, 1920 – September 2, 2011
Don passed away peacefully and now is home with God. He will be greatly missed and remembered by his family. Predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Eleanor; his second wife Matle and his brothers, Fred, Joe, Bruce, Tommy and Paul. Survived by his wife, Myrtle; sisters, Cathy and Rose; sister-in-law, Norma; his children, Steve (Joan), Ross (Diane), David (Allie), Karen, Marlene (Randy); his 16 grandchildren, Elise (Brent), Colin (Lindsey), Jordan (Cherie), Tanya, Kathi, Rachel (Art), Trevor, Graeme (Yvonne), Rebecca, Jared, Tim, Nicole, Kym, Trent, Hayden and Troy; his eight great-grandchildren, Ava, Nathan, Levi, Georgette, Elizabeth, Juliette, Rosalee and Kimberly. Dad was born in Calgary and came to Victoria in 1942. With hard work and determination, he started Don’s Tractor Service in 1947. The business grew into Don Mann Excavating Ltd. after he bought his first backhoe in 1956. He is known for his strong work ethic and creative mechanics (he could repair just about anything). Don enjoyed being in the great outdoors – hunting, camping and canoeing. He always had a joke ready to tell. His deep faith and love for God manifested itself as he served the community and his church family. Special thanks to the staff at Island View Place for their kind and compassionate care of Dad.
A Celebration of Dad’s Life will be held at the Shelbourne Street Church of Christ, 3460 Shelbourne Street on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 3:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spruston Road Bible Camp, c/o 2530 Monte Vista Way, Victoria, BC V8Z 6Z1. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
29 Responses
Dear Steve, Ross, David, Karen and Marlene,
My deepest condolences to each of you and your families in the recent passing of your Dad. His godly life was an inspiration to many people. The article in Friday’s Times-Colonist was a fitting tribute to him and included a lot of information about Don that I had never known. May the peace and comfort of God and our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you during this time.
With sympathy,
Karen Shortt
Hi Steve, my condolences to the entire Mann family.
What a guy!!, the most fearless backhoe operator I had the privilege to know. I remember one day we were working on a job and we needed to get a machine up on this bluff and Don came by and we said it couldn’t be done and Don said ”is that so”, 20 minutes later there he is on the top of this hill looking down on us with his familiar smile! He taught us a lot , how to get 10hrs into 8hr work day, but the best day i remember is when Don stopped by an excavation I was digging, got out of his truck and said nice job. I gained his respect that day. I’ll miss him.
Steve
Dear Steve, Ross, David, Karen, Marlene & Families,
I am sorry for your loss, but I know there is a blessing involved as well.
Your Dad was a tremendous help to me and my family during various significant crises… a good friend, a caring brother and a wonderful example of “living” his faith.
Regretfully, I am not able to get the day off work to attend his celebration, but my thoughts will be there.
Love, Bart
My condolences to the Mann family
I have wonderful memories of your Dad.
As a child growing up on Stockton Crest,
in my eyes he was the gentle giant with hard working hands
and a big smile. He will be missed
Thinking of you
Sonya Podgorenko
Please accept my deepest sympathies in the loss of your Dad, and grandfather. His love for the Lord, his family and the causes he believed in…..ie Spruston Road Bible Camp…. were evident every time we had opportunity to be in his presence. His wonderful sense of humor always gave us a good chuckle.
As he has been welcomed into heaven, you can be confident that he has heard the welcome “Well done,, good and faithful servant!
Ruth and I give our condolences to the entire Mann family. We grieve with you at your loss but also rejoice in a victorious live well-lived and look forward to meeting in heaven one day. Love from Ian and Ruth.
We were very sad to hear of the passing of Don–our condolences to your family. One summer I (David) had the opportunity to work with Don and enjoyed every minute–he kept me laughing with his jokes and taught me how to be creative when facing a challenge. That was long ago now, but still a vivid experience. We’re sure that Don touched many loves this way and that legacy lives on. May you find comfort in faith and memory at this difficult time and in the months ahead.
We were sorry to hear of Don’s passing, however cannot help but feel he is finally at rest with our Lord and Saviour. Our sympathy and prayers are with you all.
May Don rest in peace. With our love Merv & Lily
My condolences to the entire Mann family on your loss. I certainly have some memories of Don when he was active in the business. Don was definitely one of the pioneers of our industry, one to be looked up to, and shall be missed.
Steven, I was sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. He certainly did lead a long life and I’m sure you have wonderful memories of your times together. He must have been proud of his children and surrounded by love. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Terri