Donald McKenzie Richards Crawford

His is predeceased by his parents Robert and Kathleen; Brothers Bill, Ralph, Jim and

Kelvin, his sister Fern and his wife of 71 years Merle Jane Wilton.

He was born in Killarney Manitoba on October 27, 1925. His full name was Donald

McKenzie Richards Crawford -He grew up in a small prairie town and was the 4th of 9

children.

He left home to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. The war ended before he was

shipped overseas and after being discharged he took a Radio Operators course in

Winnipeg and was introduced to a red headed nurse, Merle. Together with some

friends they ventured to the BC coast where Merle soon was employed at

Shaughnessy Hospital and he went to Prince Rupert for further training. He was

accepted as a Light House Keeper and before taking his first job on Langara Island he

and Merle were married. They spent the first 2 years of married life on this tiny isolated

island, except for when Merle had to leave to give birth to their first daughter Maureen.

After their 2 years on Langara they moved to Victoria where two more daughters joined

the family, Cathie and Allison. Richard worked for his uncle driving a 7-Up Truck. Then

a move to Nanaimo where their son Alan was born.

Richard then decided to re-enlist in the Air Force and after training the family moved to

St. Hubert , Quebec and another daughter, Donna was born. Postings to Parent,

Quebec; Kamloops, BC, Foymount, Ontario; North Bay, Ontario, and finally Tacoma,

Washington followed. Upon discharge from the Air Force he retired to Kamloops, BC.

For a time he worked in Real Estate and then owned and operated The Sidepocket

Pool Hall and sandwich bar on Victoria Street.

When he finally fully retired he enjoyed fishing with Merle, curling in the Kamloops 60

Plus Club and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He leaves behind 5 children: Maureen (Lou) Demerais; Cathie Crawford; Allison (Jim)

Fulton; Alan Crawford; and Donna (Jeff) Clee. 10 Grandchildren, and 16 great

grandchildren. He is survived by his 2 sisters Jean and Beth and 1 Brother Ken.

The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Royal Inland Hospital on 5 North for

making our dad’s final days as comfortable as possible in these challenging times.

If you would like to make a donation in Richard’s name, please consider making a

donation to Dad’s favourite charity The Salvation Army.

Richard has gone fishing.