DONALD RALPH ROBERTSON (DON)

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DONALD RALPH ROBERTSON
July 28, 1927 – December 15, 2022

A finer gentlemen you will never meet. Don was a true inspiration to us all - he showed us what it meant to be a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He was the nicest person and the epitome of kindness - always positive and easy going, with a joy for life.
Don was raised with four older siblings, Ruth, Ross, Edward and Jack, on a farm in Hornby, Ontario where they had their own full-size outdoor hockey rink and horseshoe pitch, complete with lights. These early years on the farm instilled in Don an appreciation of hard work and a love of sport.
Don attended the University of Guelph graduating with an agricultural degree and obtained his Masters at the University of Manitoba. Don also took the Officer Naval Training Program and spent six weeks of active service aboard an aircraft carrier and mine sweeper on maneuvers in the Caribbean. Don was proud of his career with the Manitoba Honey Co-op and his work with Rotary International both of which provided him and Ev with opportunities to travel as well as to make friends around the world.
Don married Evelyn, the true love of his life, in 1952. They met when Don moved to Winnipeg to become the Provincial Apiarist. Don and Ev were a true partnership - always there for each other, supporting each other and the perfect complement to each other. He was Ev's rock, always the straight man to Ev's many jokes. Don and Ev were married for almost 68 years when Ev passed in 2020 - Don was never the same again without his Ev.
Don and Ev raised their three boys, Bill, Jack and Tom in Charleswood - with the boys following in their Dad's footsteps, excelling in curling, hockey and golf. Don and Ev were so proud of their boys and welcomed Susanne, Gayle and Angie into the family. They had a very special relationship with each of their grandchildren and their spouses - Tyler, Reagan, Parker, Sean and Jillian, Lauren and Scott - they were always so interested in each of them as individuals. We know they would have loved to have spent more time with their beautiful great-grandchildren, Sophia, Emma, Nash and Charlie.
Don and Ev's genuine interest in people, their warmth and hospitality made them lifelong friends wherever they went. Their parties in Charleswood were famous often involving themes, dressing up and re-gifting of golden toilets! When they retired to Kelowna they made new friends through golf, curling and their condo neighbours. Don often joked that he had a harem - as their close friends, Gladys, Marge, Shirley and Annie often joined him and Ev for their many activities and excursions. Don was a great sport, actively participating in whatever the ladies would come up with to entertain their condo neighbours. What fun they had!
Don was known for being a lovely person, but he was also known for his clumsiness - Ev loved to tell the true story of when he broke five teapots in one day!
Experiencing life through the lens of dementia is heartbreaking and difficult. For the last three years Don has lived at Three Links Manor where the wonderful staff, very special people, provide care with patience, generosity and love. We are so grateful and appreciative of the work they do every day.
We say goodbye to Don with both sadness and joy. We are grateful for the time we had Don and Ev in our lives and will forever cherish the wonderful memories.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society or Hope for Dementia would be gratefully appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 24, 2022