Mr. Donald N.A. McNichol

September 25, 1940 – October 11, 2016

It is with great sadness we announce that Don McNichol has passed away after a valiant five year battle with multiple myeloma cancer. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Carol, and his children Paul (Gwen) and Shelley (Norm); stepchildren Steve Parkinson (Shannon) and Mike Parkinson (Luci); 10 grandchildren: Carolyn (Trevor), Katherine, Justine, Hailey, Brock, Sarah, Matthew, Brittany, Kyle and Ryan; and 4 step-grandchildren: Alex (Makayla), Daniel, Mila and Kyla.

Don was born in Sudbury, Ontario, where he developed a love of sports, in particular hockey, golf and basketball. He worked in the smelter in Sudbury while he and his first wife, Lea, attended university to work towards a career. He earned a Masters in Business Administration from York University in 1970 and took a position working for the Ministry of Colleges and Universities in Toronto, where he worked until his retirement in 1992. In 1991, Don and Carol were married in Glen Morris, Ontario. Ten months later, they moved to Langley, B.C.

Don had a zest for life and enjoyed many activities including a keen interest in the arts. He loved to play the piano and enjoyed many kinds of music. About 10 years ago, he joined the Port Kells Art Club where he took lessons weekly, working in both watercolours and acrylics. It provided him great enjoyment as well as a challenge, as he always strove to learn something new. Don also rediscovered model trains as an adult. He spent hours designing and building layouts for his trains and painted a typically B.C. background for it.

Don always continued his love of sports. Travel holidays often included golfing with Carol and other friends. He enjoyed travelling, especially to Maui where walking the beach, boogie boarding and swimming were favourite pastimes. On annual trips in the RV to Oliver, he developed a liking for cycling, sailing and kayaking.

Don faced many challenges in his life. The death of his first wife, Lea, in 1990 and his son Don Jr. in 2011 and the loss of his son, Shawn, were the most difficult. He had a quiet, strong and very personal faith that he practiced daily, which helped him face these tragedies with strength and composure.

Don’s greatest legacy is that he was a caring, loving and supportive person. He is known for many things, in particular his wonderful, infectious laugh and ever-present smile. He held a deep affection for his family and friends. Don treated everyone with kindness and respect and took great pleasure in helping anyone who needed it. He was a role model for people of all ages, readily conversing with, and showing a keen interest in everyone who came into his life. He will be missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to express a sincere thank you to the staff at Abbotsford Hospital as well as the Holmberg House Hospice in Abbotsford. The care he received was extraordinary.

A Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, 14831 28 Avenue, Surrey, B.C.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Arrangements under the direction of Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, Surrey, BC.