Born August 13, 1926 died on June 18, 2010 at the Ontario Finnish Rest Home after a courageous and determined battle of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 83. Don leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Audrey June Holmes. His memory will be cherished and celebrated by his children David and wife Janie, Kathryn Holmes, Patricia (Sutherland) and husband Brad, Peter and wife Colleen, Pam and husband Doug Irish and Stephen and wife Hillary. He will be sadly missed by his 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Don had a fulfilling life of several careers beginning as an electrical engineer and being awarded for developing one of the 1st electrical underground substations. He changed direction and went into the United Church Ministry after returning to the University of Toronto and attending Emmanuel College to receive his Degree in Divinity. He ministered in the communities of Simcoe, Courtland, Manitoulin Island (Little Current, Sheguiandah, Green Bay) and Waterford Ontario. As he continued to minister he became interested in teaching and returned to university to become a high school teacher in physics and mathematics, and taught at St. Marys High School in St. Marys Ontario. He then returned to his original profession and was employed at Sudbury Hydro as an electrical engineer while he continued to minister at various churches in the area. Don’s love for Manitoulin Island and its people drew Dad and Mom back for summer vacations, eventually building a retirement home, loving life in his valley along the shore of Lake Manitou in Green Bay. In the winter months retired life was spent in Sault Ste. Marie to be close to family and to be a part of the John Wesley United Church congregation. Don spent his last 6 months in the Ontario Finnish Rest Home supported by the loving care of his nurses and health care team, where he shared his twinkling eyes, many laughs and tears. Memorial service will be held at John Wesley United Church on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 3 pm followed by a gathering of friends and family in the church reception hall. An inurnment service will be held in Manitoulin Island at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the United Church of Canada, Mission and Service Fund and the Ontario Finnish Rest Home. (Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 759-2522). Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.
