Donovan Clement Marshall

Donovan Clement Marshall, “Papa Don”, took his final bow on March 26th, 2025, in Victoria, BC, aged 91. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Don spent his days spreading joy, optimism, and architectural brilliance across Vancouver Island.

Don grew up in and around Vancouver and studied Engineering and Architecture at the University of British Columbia. It was at UBC that Don met Donna Lea Corbett Harrison and together they had 4 children before parting ways.

In 1983 Don married Patricia (Trish) Alexander, and together with her two children, the family expanded. They built a family that could fill a small village—and often did at family gatherings.

Don leaves behind a legacy of four children: Leslie Larsen, Laurie Palmer (Bill), Gregory Marshall (Nan), Shannon Faulkner (Bob), and two step children; Anne Gill (Mark), and Peter Alexander (Sandy). Don’s clan expanded to include 15 grandchildren—Stephanie, Jordan, Lachlan, Hannah, Max, Briggs, Calley, Ross, Holly, Graeme, Sarah, Austin and Emily, Ava, Ben, —as well as three great-grandchildren: Emery, Quinn and Jack. Dad was also very close to his nephew Doug Ford and niece Pat Ford

After 38 years of marriage filled with love, laughter and fabulous family dinners Trish predeceased Dad in 2021.

Papa Don was the kind of dad who didn’t just show up—he was always present, engaged and genuinely interested in what everyone was doing. Whether it was a school play, a soccer game, or a family dinner. Friends and family were the core of Dad's life.

As an architect, Don left his mark on Vancouver Island with iconic creations like the UVic Faculty Club, and many innovative schools including, Spectrum, Stelly’s, Bayside, Parklands, and so many more. His designs weren’t just buildings—each one set design trends that lasted for many decades.

Dad retired from practice in 1994 and kicked into the next stage of life with equal enthusiasm. He and Trish travelled extensively, entertained enthusiastically and boated all over the BC coast. The regular sleepovers at Gramma T & Papa Don's house were a favourite of the grand kids, driving the golf cart, swimming, prawning and golfing. Papa Don always had a new adventure planned.

In his final years the team at Glengarry Hospital provided a safe harbour for Dad. They took fabulous and loving care of our Dad and we cannot adequately express our full gratitude.

Per his wishes, Dad will be cremated, and there’ll be no big fuss—just a private family ceremony sometime down the road. He didn’t want tears; he wanted us to toast the good times, the fun stories, and the love he dished out so generously every day.

So here’s to Papa Don—may his next adventure be as grand as the life he lived, and like one of Dad’s favourite sayings, may today be “The Best Day Ever”

Cheers, Dad, We Love You

A donation in Dad’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Society of BC or the Elder Care Foundation of Vancouver Island.