Obituary Notice for Donald Campbell Kerr (Sigs Club)

Born Montreal, Quebec May 11,1921 – Departed Port Perry December 15, 2011. Quietly in his sleep after a brief battle with Lymphoma. Leaves best friend Yvonne Pepper, Children – Patricia, Deborah, Donald, Charles, Desiree, Grandchildren – Jesse, Jamie, Lauren, Ian, Deanna, Holly and Andrew, Great Grandchildren – Abbey, Liam, Victoria and Charlotte. Pre-deceased by Wife Doris (Pat), Son Campbell and Grandson Nicholas. After graduating University of Toronto Schools (UTS) and working for Bell Canada, Don joined the 2nd Division Signals as a signalman then attended the Officer’s Training Center rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He volunteered for overseas duty in 1942, landed with the troops at Gold Beach on D-Day and saw continuous action as part of Operation Market Garden, the liberation of Holland. Mentioned in Dispatches for Distinguished Service and decorated with the Oak Leaf Cluster, Don was promoted to Captain and, in the postwar years, to Major. He served as an Aide de Camp to Ontario Lieutenant Governors, the Honourable Keiller MacKay and Honourable Earl Rowe. To ensure that future generations of Canadians would know and understand the sacrifice made for freedom, Don produced a DVD and delivered lectures to schools across southern Ontario. In October 2011, Don received the Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation, an award recognizing those who provided outstanding service to their country, their communities and their fellow Veterans. Don had an outstanding career in the land development and Real Estate industry. A strong advocate for municipal planning, he participated in the development of Canada’s ``First Planned Community`` Bramalea, projects in Orange County California and ultimately assembled large tracts of land into what has become the heart of Mississauga. He had a strong sense of civic duty serving as a member of Etobicoke Council from1965-1982, member of the Conservative Party and a lifelong Kiwanian. For the last 10 years, Don became a well known and respected member of the community of Port Perry. He had a great passion for boats and music especially big band, swing and jazz. Though his last note has sounded, like a catchy tune, his memory springs easily to mind. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Donald Kerr was held in the chapel on Tuesday December 20, 2011. Memorial donations to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.