DAWKINS: Donald Barry
July 17, 1935 - March 2, 2019It is with a mix of profound sadness and a few tearful sighs of relief that our family wishes to announce the passing of our beloved patriarch Donald “Don” Dawkins, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s – a cruel and insidious disease.
Lovingly remembered by wife of 60 years Faye, sons Stephen (Maria) and David (Jennifer), brother Fred (Karin), sister-in-law Rosalee (Gary) and daughter-in-law Arta (Jamie). Predeceased by his loving parents William (Huck) and Helen – as well as his brother Gary, grandson Neal and son James Andrew (Jamie) ... all three taken away far too soon. Don’s legacy includes seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a growing army of great grandchildren (4 and counting). Husband. Father. Brother. Papa. Great-Papa. Officer. Gentleman. Engineer. Entrepreneur. Citizen of the Year. Builder.
Don was born in Acton and excelled at sports during his teen years – especially football and track and field. Out of high school Don went into an officer’s training program with the “Royal Canadian School of Signals”. It was during this time in Kingston that Don met a beautiful young nurse named Faye Delaney from Gananoque and they married in 1958. Don returned to school and graduated with Honors from Queen’s University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He quickly became an accredited Professional Engineer – PEng – the designation of which was a source of pride his entire life. Don had a diverse employment history. From CIL in Kingston to Syncrude in Fort McMurray in the early days of the oil sands development. Then off to Falconbridge in the quaint little mining town of Onaping in Northern Ontario. Then in 1976 back to his roots in Acton as he accepted a promotion to Indusmin head office in Toronto. But certainly, Don was best known as the Founding President and General Manager of "the olde Hide House" in Acton, and as the principal designer/builder of Blue Springs Golf Club. Don cherished the fact that he was able to make his mark on his hometown – a community with which he had felt a deep connection and that had given him so much.
It is impossible to overstate the appreciation we have for the staff at A.R. Goudie LTC in Kitchener. Their dedication has been beyond professional. Genuine love and care. Thank you. The same to Grand River Hospital (Freeport) staff who provided the palliative care for Don these past ten weeks. You are all angels.
The family will receive friends at MacKinnon Family Funeral Home,
55 Mill St. E., Acton on Sunday, March 10, 2019 from 2-4 p.m.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 11, 2019 at
Knox Presbyterian Church, 44 Main St. N., Acton at 2 p.m.
Cremation has taken place.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society or a charity of your choice, would be appreciated by the family.
MacKinnon Family Funeral Home
www.mackinnonfamilyfuneralhome.com
(519) 853-0350 or 1-877-421-9860 (toll free)
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