A great man, who will be missed by many, has left us. Don was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Norman and Elizabeth and grew up across from Oliver School, attended Garneau High and 2 years at the U of Alberta in Geology, before joining the RCMP in 1950. Don and a good portion of his Troop, upon graduation from training, was sent to Victoria, BC as it was at the time of the takeover from the BC Police and manpower was needed right away. From Victoria, he served in Lake Cowichan and Port Alice. He applied for the Laboratory Branch and was sent to Regina for assessment and some training, then back to Victoria and when accepted into the Fraudulent Cheque section, he was transferred back to Ottawa where he became an expert document Examiner and attained his degree in Psychology from Carleton U.
He designed the early font style for the Canadian passport and was the first to train and become the Polygraph Examiner in Canada. He was promoted to Officer in 1967 and became Officer in Charge of the Crime Detection Laboratories in Vancouver and instrumental in designing the new laboratory building there. Don was transferred one year later to be in charge of Regina Lab and subsequently promoted to Assistant Director of Labs and Identification in Ottawa, then Scientific Advisor prior to retirement.
Don will be greatly missed by Dawn, his loving wife of 65 years. His two daughters Wendy (Len) Meilleur, and Laura Duke (Mark) and the grand children Amy (Frances) Dicaire, Alice Meilleur (Doug), Robin Cole (Patrick), Diane (Kevin) Leroux, Travis Cole (Arianne), and Corey (Jamie lee) Duke-Laplante. His great grandkids Beatrix and Jackson Leroux, Finnegan Dicaire, Lukas and Charleston Duke-Laplante.
Don had a full retirement and enjoyed The RCMP Veterans association; Music, especially the Tower bells and the Hand bell choirs at Metropolitan and First Metropolitan United churches; Square Dancing; Trailer travels; ‘Snowbirding’ in Arizona; Cruising and tours to other countries; reading and TV. While he had some major health problems over the last 25 years, he never lost his love of life.
Our heartfelt thank you to all of his doctors over the past 25 years, the Beacon/VIHA morning care service professionals the last 2 years and now especially to Dr. Brabant and Dr. Behroozi and the staff of 8 North at the Royal Jubilee Hospital who provided superb expertise and caring comfort to Don and our family during his last week. To all our family and friends, thank you for your loving support. It is immeasurable.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held Saturday, February 29th, 2020, 2 pm at First Metropolitan United Church, 932 Balmoral Road, Victoria, followed later in the year to his final resting place at Beechwood Cemetery’s RCMP Memorial Gardens, Ottawa.
In lieu of flowers, support is welcome to Victoria Hospice, First Met United Church Music Program or your favourite charity.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
16 Responses
To Dawn, Wendy, Laura and family. Sincere sympathy for your loss. I know your memories will comfort you and always be a blessing for you to count on. I enjoyed Don’s positive attitude toward life and his total commitment to his family. Love to you all.
I am the daughter of Betty (nee: Payne)and John Uibel of Calgary Alberta. I remember visiting the he-Don and she-Dawn many times in Victoria with my mother, both when I lived in Victoria and when I traveled there with mother. Visiting their beautiful home looking over the ocean always a wonderful welcome and time to reminisce. So sorry to hear of the death of Don. Both of my parents have died now but I am sure that they would want to send regard and to remember Don fondly.
Dawn, Yesterday would have been my dad’s 101st birthday, and as I thought of him, I thought of you and Don, and many happy times that he had with you in Victoria. As I was looking for your address today I found out about Don’s death, and want you to know my thoughts are with you. I was going to tell you about the birth of our new grandson, Karen’s third baby, born on Feb 11th. I miss being able to tell my mom and dad about such momentous events. Don was an amazing man. His influence was wide, in that he is fondly remembered not just by Corvin and I, but also by our kids. His humour, his faith, and his positive attitude are a lesson to us all. I’m so glad that you have family around you at this time. Please take care. Alison (nee Rogers)
Dear Dawn and family: Our sincere condolences to you on hearing of Don’s recent passing. He will be remembered as a kind and gracious man who rose above his health issues. Herb and Don had an early RCMP connection, being troop-mates when they graduated from Ottawa training in 1950, with both ending up in Victoria (Herb in S & I, Reg. #15985). We both recall Don and Herb’s (& wives) 50th Year Troop reunion (1999)in Richmond, B.C.(along with Florian Schmidt),and meeting again on the Vancouver RCMP Veterans’ AGM Cruise to Alaska in 2012. Unfortunately, we are unable to attend Don’s “Celebration of Life” on February 29th, but you, Don, and your family will be in our thoughts.
Herb & Dorothy Martinson, Vancouver, B.C.
Dawn, I am sorry to hear of Don’s death. I have lots of memories of you and Don up on Camrose Court. I haven’t seen you for a few years now but knew that Don was in poor health. My deepest condolences to you and your daughters.
Sincerely Pat Hapgood
Dear Dawn, Wendy and Laura,
I learned of Don’s passing just today, and made sure to led Dad know. Ronald Thornton asked that I extend out heart felt condolences with the recent loss of your beloved Donald. Our thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time, he will be remembered fondly. Cherish all the wonderful memories you each share, in them he will never be far away.
Much love,
Ronald, Regan & Cindy Thornton