Roderick "Don" Donald McKinnon

Roderick Donald (Don) McKinnon, aged 88, passed away Sunday, March 25 at Victoria General Hospital.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Elsie, their children Dewar (Sandra), Greg (Barb) and Donna (Hal), grandchildren Jennifer, Catherine (Jarret), Sheene (Jon), Ryan, Kristina, Leah, Lauren and Kelsey and great-grandchildren Athan, Nika, Lulu and Brooklyn. Don is also survived by his brother, Neil and sisters, Jean, Eleanor (Pat), and Ina. Don was predeceased by his sister, Alice, and brother, Ian.

Don was born in Russell, Manitoba on July 31, 1923, the oldest of the seven children of Roy and Catherine McKinnon. The early part of his life was spent on the family farm, which bordered Riding Mountain National Park, south of the town of Grandview. Don joined the RCAF in 1941 after graduation from Grade 10 and served with the Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron in the North Atlantic until 1945.

Don married the love of his life, Elsie Kydd, at the Kydd farm near Grandview, Manitoba in 1948. During their married life, they lived in The Pas, Flin Flon, Falcon Lake, Dauphin, and Winnipeg. Together they enjoyed raising their three children, traveling with friends and family, camping, gardening, and watching sporting events. Don was especially proud of his prowess at cribbage and enjoyed ‘skunking’ his children and grandchildren at every opportunity. His fondest memories were of the times he spent canoeing with Elsie on the beautiful lakes in Manitoba.

After discharge from active RCAF service, Don joined the Manitoba Forest Service. During his time with the Service, he was posted for ten years at Falcon Lake in the Whiteshell Provincial Park where he was Chief Ranger in charge of construction and operation of the resort. Don was instrumental in the development of the Falcon Lake Golf Course, ski resort and cottage subdivisions. His duties were varied and included supervising park staff, acting as foreman fighting forest fires, searching for lost persons and rushing accident victims to Winnipeg hospitals as a one-man ambulance service. In 1966, Don accepted a position with the Department of Natural Resources in Dauphin and retired as Regional Superintendent in 1980. Following retirement, Don spent several years as a Crop Insurance Adjuster, helping with the harvest in Grandview and making curling ice at the Dauphin Curling Club.

Don was always interested in sports and the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, baseball and especially curling and golf. He was a man ahead of his time with a deep and passionate interest in, and concern for, the environment. Don was active in the communities he lived in and held honourary life memberships in the Royal Canadian Legion and both the Falcon Lake and Dauphin Curling Clubs.

Throughout his life, Don was a hard worker with a sharp and inquisitive mind. He was, above all, a family man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren and supported them in all of their endeavours.

In keeping with Don’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no service will be held at this time. A special thank you is extended to the staff of Victoria General Hospital who showed so much compassion in their care for both Don and his family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Don loved, was loved and will be dearly missed.