Feb. 1, 1937 – Dec. 2, 2015
Everyone called him Don, born on his parents homestead in Laurier, Manitoba. He was a proud but quiet man with very few words.
He was a loving husband, dad, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, son and brother.
Don passed away peacefully in 100 Mile House Hospital at the age of 78. Don grew up on his family farm and went to school in Laurier, Manitoba where he completed his grade nine then quit school to help his dad on the family farm.
Don left Laurier in 1958 and headed for BC, where he worked for his Uncle Gene in the carpentry business. He moved back to Manitoba in early 1960 and worked on road construction where he met his wife Elaine on Oct. 10,1960.
They were married on April 22,1961 in Maillardville, BC at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. They lived in Coquitlam for 30 years before finding a home in 100 Mile House, BC. Don and Elaine raised four girls, Patsy, Janet, Dawn and Cheryl.
Before retirement Don’s passion was camping, (finding a face carved in a stump), fishing (especially when he caught the 6ft sturgeon), and watching NASCAR racing (favorite driver Jimmie Johnson). After retirement Don and Elaine lived on their acreage in 100 Mile House for the last 18 years, where he enjoyed his life relaxing at the pond and watching wildlife, playing with his electric train set, listening to country music, puttering around the shop, visiting with neighbors, friends and family.
Dad (Grandpa/DaDa) enjoyed visits with his grandchildren David, Michael, Victor, Nicole and Spencer which always brought a smile on his face. Grandpa missed out giving smiles to the newest great grandchild Samuel.
Don had several pets throughout the years but enjoyed the last few with his 3 cats Mango, Mercedes and Lulu.
Dad celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Elaine, family and friends in July 2011 and was short on celebrating his 79th birthday in February 2016.
Don is predeceased by his brother Eugene, father Alphonse, mother Florida, sisters Aveline and Melaine. Survived by his wife Elaine Vera (Mooney) Bouchard, his children Patsy Lane (Doug), Janet Edwards (George), Dawn Mahovlich (Jeremy), Cheryl Bouchard, grandchildren David (Lindsay), Michael, Victor, and Nicole, great grandchildren Spencer and Samuel and his mother-in-law Vera McLachlan.
He is the second oldest out of 13 children, leaving behind his siblings Gerard (Yvonne B. Gingras), Priscille (Leonard Grywacheski), Maurice (Simone Tardif), Joseph (Shirley-Ann Prawdzik), Albina (late Kerry Hampton), Alphonse (Carol-Rose Huhn), (Pat Adams), Louis (Dawn-Ann Squire), Denis (Linda Doucet) and Therese (Stephen Grier). Also leaving behind lots of cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and family friends.
His last few days were surrounded with lots of love by his wife and daughters and family members while in the care of nurses and doctors at 100 Mile Hospital. He passed peacefully in his sleep. He was cremated at 100 Mile Funeral Service, with no service at this time.
Elaine and family would like to thank everyone for the care and support at Fisher Place Care Home where Don called home for the last year, and a big thank you to the nurses and doctors at 100 Mile House Hospital for the care of Don (Dad) during his last few days.
Don (DAD) will be missed but not forgotten. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Don’s memory may make a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation.
100 Mile Funeral Service Ltd.
entrusted with the arrangements 1-877-595-3243.
Condolences can be sent to the family care of 100milefuneralservice@gmail.com