Donald DEROUIN

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DEROUIN: Donald Edward, 1947-2011. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Edward (Don) Derouin at the age of 63. Don passed away peacefully at the Stony Plain Hospital with his partner at his side, Thursday, May 12, 2011. The strength and courage he consistently possessed in his year-long battle with cancer will be an inspiration forever for those close to him. Don will be lovingly remembered by his partner of 16 years Diane Barnes and her family, his children Lisa (Lyle) Burant and Donna (Trent) Brown, grandchildren Amanda and Jessica Burant, Colby, Michael and Madison Brown, all of Stony Plain. Don is also survived by his siblings, Jim (Joanne) of Medicine Hat, Gord (Bev) of Red Deer, Elizabeth (Roy) Demers of Brandon, Wendy (Harvey) Woods of Rivers, Bob (Diana) of Alberta Beach, Doug of Brandon, Greg (Lori) of Campbell River, BC, as well as numerous nephews and nieces and great-nephews and nieces. Don was predeceased by his mother Florence in 1999 and his father Charles in 2007. He was also predeceased by his grandparents, many cousins, aunts, and uncles including his special uncle, Angus McKinnon. Don was born June 10, 1947 in Brandon, Manitoba, the second of eight children born to Charles and Florence Derouin. He had a happy and adventurous childhood growing up in a large family, and the East End of Brandon was his playground. Don attended King George and Earl Haig Schools before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force at the age of 17. He was in the service for four years doing his basic training at Trenton, Ontario before being posted to St. Jean, Quebec. It was from this background that he became a Lifetime Member of the Royal Canadian Legion and served in numerous executive positions including four terms as President at Jasper Place Legion Branch 255. After leaving the Services, Don met and married Dorothy Dobson of Killarney, Manitoba adopted her daughter Lisa and in October 1971 they celebrated the arrival of their daughter Donna Faye and their family was complete. During the early years they lived in Calgary, and Don took a job as an Expediter and they moved to and lived in Inuvik, North West Territories before relocating to the Edmonton area where he has resided ever since. In 1980 Don began his career with Transalta Sundance Power Plant where he enjoyed his work as a Millwright and truly loved his Transalta Family. Each and everyone that Don worked with held a special place in his heart and he talked about them often. Don was a proud member of IBEW Local Union 254. For many summers Don and Diane could be found enjoying lake living at Allan Beach just west of Spruce Grove, where they made more lasting friendships. This was a recurring theme in Don’s life, as once you became a friend of Don’s you were his friend for life. Throughout the years, Don and Diane traveled extensively visiting Diane’s home province of Newfoundland many times. They also traveled to such locales as Hawaii, England, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Disneyland and one of his favorite spots, Las Vegas. In 2007 they embarked on a new adventure and purchased a mobile home in Apache Junction, Arizona and there wasn’t any place in the world he would rather be. In the last year they were able to spend 3 months with the most recent being 3 weeks in February of this year. A service to celebrate Don’s Life was held Friday, May 20, 2011 at Parkland Funeral Home, Stony Plain, Alberta. It was Don’s wish to come home to Manitoba and be buried in the Arrow River Cemetery beside his Mother and Father and his special Uncle and Aunt, Angus and Olga McKinnon. There will be an interment ceremony at the cemetery on Saturday, September 3 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 30, 2011