Donald Bennett

Donald David Bennett

With much love and sorrow we announce the peaceful passing of Don Bennett, in his home, on December 1, 2014 at the age of 69 years.

He is survived by his loving wife Wendy, son James, daughter Evelyn, sisters Evelyn (Ed) Elias, Marianne Olfrey, and Ellen Doerksen. Also left to mourn are his Aunt Eunice Lindenberg; sisters and brothers-in-law Colleen (Tom) Anderson, Melody (Dave) Langbroek, and John Isernia; numerous nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews.  He was predeceased by his father, Rev. David Edward; his mother, Ethel Susanne; brother Leonard; step-mother Connie; sister-in-law Sandra; father-in-law Hank; mother-in-law Peggy and numerous aunts and uncles.

As the son of a United Church minister, during his childhood Don lived and attended school in Rathwell, Little Britain, Grandview, Newdale and Austin.  After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and served at St. Jean, Quebec; Camp Borden, Ontario; Greenwood, Nova Scotia; and 4 Wing Baden Sollingen, Germany.  During this time, Don worked as a volunteer radio announcer at CFNS - the highlight of his tour being his interview with the Everley Brothers.

After leaving the Air Force, Don attended Red River College, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Saskatchewan, earning a degree in Heath Care Administration, but accounting was his career choice. Don’s work life was varied; he was always ready for a new challenge. His employers through the years included Al’s Towing, Craneall, Friesen Implements, Win-Mor Trucks, Circle F Sports, Fehr Glass, Winnipeg Construction Association, Fort Osborne Legion, the Red River Health District, Southport Aerospace.  For most of these years Don also had his own accounting business as he greatly enjoyed the personal contact with clients. Throughout his careers, Don resided at various times in Winnipeg, Morden and Morris,  finally settling in  Portage la Prairie.

Don enjoyed many sports, coaching little league baseball, and participating in baseball, curling, hockey and golf. He especially enjoyed and excelled at snooker.

Community involvement was an important part of Don’s life.  He was, at various times, a member of the Morden Development Corp., the Morden Chamber of Commerce, the Legions of Morden, Fort Rouge, and Charleswood, the Morris Golf Club, and the Morris Stampede Committee. He spent several years on the Morden Corn & Apple committee, working on the parade (chairing the committee one year) and was Chairman of the festival in 1979.  He was also a volunteer on the Morris Ambulance.  Of all his activities, Don was most proud of his membership in the Kinsmen Club of Canada.  He served the Association in many capacities, including Governor of Manitoba and Northern Ontario.  He was awarded a Life Membership in recognition of his dedication to the association.  He cherished the many friendships he made as a result of his years in Kin.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to family and friends for all their help and support over the past months.  Our grateful thanks go to Dr. Kinnear, Emily Gray, Debbie Bunnik, Lorraine Gaudet and the amazing staff at the Portage Hospital, Manitoba Cancer Care, Portage Home Care and Sunset Palliative Care.  All of you treated Don with care and compassion and guided us through this difficult time.

Cremation has taken place.  A celebration of Don’s life will be held at Trinity United Church on December 8 at 2:00 pm. A private family Interment will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Columbarium.

Flowers are gratefully declined.  If friends so desire, donations in Don’s memory to Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 9Z9, Canadian Cancer Care, 675 McDermot, Winnipeg, MB, R3E OV9, Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Sask.Ave.E, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N OK8 or Sunset Palliative Care Inc, Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3B2

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com