Donald VARCOE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

VARCOE: On October 11, 2017, Donald Varcoe of Brandon passed away peacefully at the Fairview Personal Care Home at the age of 85. Born in Toronto on January 17, 1932, Don was the second of two children of Harold and Katherine Varcoe. After graduating high school, he joined the Canadian Forces and served as a mechanic with the army in Germany in the early 1950s. In 1953, while singing with the choir at St. Mathias Anglican Church in Toronto, Don met his future wife of 56 years, Audrey Reed. They married at the church on September 3, 1955, and later had four children. After working as a mechanic, Don was called by faith to join the ministry, attending Wycliffe College in Toronto. He was ordained and moved west to Hanna, AB, in 1962, ministering at All Saints’ Anglican Church, before serving in parishes in Portage la Prairie, Virden, Dauphin, and Regina. He later ministered in churches in Davidson, SK, and Princeton, BC, where he retired in 2000. In 2007, Don moved to Port Moody, BC, where Audrey died in 2011. Don had many hobbies and enjoyed singing in the church, playing guitar, studying Scottish history, voraciously reading about the history of the Second World War, raising dogs, breeding fish, flying kites, going out for coffee and watching hockey. In May 2013, he married Lucille Knight and moved to Brandon. A practical joker, Don will be missed for his quick laugh, cheerful spirit, love of family, giving spirit and his dedication to the Lord. He is survived by his loving wife, Lucille, his sister, Florence, his four children: Philip (Ann) Varcoe; Patricia (Dale) Wagner; Susan (Derrick) Pagenkopf; and Christopher (Kimberley) Varcoe; his 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of the Resurrection Anglican Church, 3319 Park Avenue, Brandon, MB. A tea will follow.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 16, 2017