Donald Joseph Hebert

It has been said that “all the world’s a stage.” This particularly held true for Donald Joseph Hebert. Indeed, he was one of the players. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a perpetual performer in the theatre of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and was always willing to share that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Donald, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark, or the twinkle of an eye. Donald truly mastered the art of living and had great fun throughout his journey.

Donald first stepped onto the stage of life on October 13, 1935. He first greeted the world in Riverside, Ontario. He was the son of Irene and Henry Hebert. He fondly rememebred his childhood playing cards and having family get-togethers. He grew up in Windsor, Ontario on Matchette Rd. Even as a child, it seemed as though he had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring, and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention and was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, succeeded in entertaining his entire family. He delivered groceries with his bicycle, loved working and being at the bowling alley, enjoyed collecting stamps, many other hobbies and tended to be very adventurous.

Always a good playmate, Donald was easygoing and fun-loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even in the middle of family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, he managed to find satisfying solutions to basic problems. He could see all sides of a dispute and managed to bring in his sense of humor whenever it was needed. He was raised with 8 brothers and sisters; Violet, Ernie, Mary, Raymond, Leo, Billy, Alphonse and Bernie. They had a strong bond and always got along well. Christmas time was always a special time with his family for Donald. He loved his grandparents very much and they loved him back just as much.

Donald spent his childhood with his family living in a small war-time home in the city that had lots of yard to play in. All of Donald's playful good nature carried over into his childhood. He had an outgoing personality, a lively imagination, and a rather laid back, go-with-the-flow approach to life. He was constantly on the go. As a result of this, he experienced a rather active childhood and this suited him very well. He enjoyed sports as a child, especially street hockey, baseball and fishing. He also had a number of favorite pastimes as a child, including building model cars, boats and airplanes and collecting hockey cards. Playing games was always a favorite way to spend time, in particular tiddly winks, playing cards, baseball and playing with woodens cars and trucks. He didn't particularly enjoy reading, but loved his comic books. He went to St. Francis School during his childhood school years.

Donald was drawn to both individuals and crowds. He frequently used his gregarious and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. He used to go around with his friends stealing milk bottles from the neighbourhood houses. Donald also went on a few trips when he was growing up.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Donald was a “cut-up” and had a tendency to be the class clown. With the knack for being able to find a joke in just about any situation, whether in class or not, he was always ready with a laugh. He wasn’t the type of person who would say or do things to be unkind or garner all the attention. Rather, Donald simply enjoyed seeing others have a good time and to hear their laughter. As for grades, it could be said that they may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience, even if he wasn't one to get caught up in the academics. For Donald, experience was the best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying a practical approach to knowledge. For Donald, a class or a teacher had to be fun to really capture his attention. He enjoyed lending a helping hand to the elderly folks in his neighbourhood.

There were a lot of other exciting and interesting things to do and see. He found it easy to become a part of a lot of different groups and activities. This quality allowed him to continually develop new relationships and continually widen his circle of friends. For Donald, they were all potential spectators for his seemingly non-stop performances. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song, or just plain fooling around, he was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. He utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. Just about anyone who knew Donald back then would probably be able to tell a story in which he played the starring role. When Donald and his friends got together, they would hang out at the A & W Restaurant.

Being such an outgoing person, Donald found dating and relationships to come quite naturally. The movie theatre and Hi-Ho Restaurant were some of his most frequent hang outs.

Donald understood responsibility and took it seriously, despite the fact that he seemed carefree on the surface. This was obvious in a number of different ways. After school, Donald worked at delivering groceries to the neighbourhood with his bicycle. After getting his driver's license at 15, he would drive around town in his Ford. Donald also did a bit of traveling during his teenage years. He traveled to Quebec mostly.

Donald was a very easy person to approach, simply by being so emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate. Linda May Klingbyle learned this firsthand. Donald and Linda first met at the Airport Tavern in Windsor. On their first date, they went to a show and then somehow wound up getting lost on the way home.

One day while they were talking, he proposed to her in Kitchener, Ont.,

Donald exchanged wedding vows with Linda on July 8, 1987. The bridesmaid was Michelle Hyde. The groomsman was Carl Hyde. They were married in a small, beautiful service at Windsor City Hall and had their reception afterward at Cafe Rose.

Following the ceremony, Donald and Linda were able to get away for a while on their honeymoon. They honeymooned together at Canada's Wonderland outside of Toronto, Ontario.

He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings and that was especially true in marriage. In that way, he tried to bring joy and harmony to the household. Like most young couples, they lived rather modestly. Their first residence was on Monmouth Rd. In Windsor.

For Donald and Linda, their marriage included sharing old friends and meeting some new ones. The household also included some pets, namely 2 budgies and a myna bird.

Donald seemed to have an endless appetite for new activities. A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, he often found himself involved in activities that he felt were important. He was charitable, kind, and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, he was a member of several community groups. Donald had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to anything he did. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Donald's service was greatly valued by thiose around him.

Perhaps the reason Donald related so well to youngsters was the fact that he was always a kid at heart himself. This quality helped him in raising his own family. It was as if he remembered the way it felt to play and have fun as a child and so he tried to keep that feeling alive in his own family. He had four children, Brenda, Pamela, Todd and Gary. Donald did everything with his children and to them he was the greatest father ever. The children would often fill him with pride. He also tried to raise the children in a safe and nurturing environment, filled with fun and wonder. Donald had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with his children, that is where all of his attention was directed. He could spend hours engaging them with fun and creative play. In fact, Donald had a knack for turning some of those nasty old household chores into fun and playful games.

He tried his best to be a good parent. Donald also carried over the fun into family trips and vacations. The family vacationed in Deep River, Ontario were Donald broke his leg one year.

Later on, he was also blessed with six grandchildren, Brandy, Timmy, Marielle, Jacqueline, Chantelle and Christopher.

At work, as in life, Donald was a real "people person." He had a very successful way of working effectively with others and his enthusiasm and energy were often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Donald was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the best option. Being a down-to-earth thinker allowed many to see him as an excellent problem-solver. For his entire working life, Donald worked as a printing press operator. His primary occupation was working as a printing press operator. working for Curtis Printing for 35 years until his retirement. He accomplished a lot as he was a hardworking man, raising and providing for his young family.

Donald made a number of new friends in the workplace, due to his outgoing personality.

Donald managed to wrap himself up in all sorts of activities during his career.

Donald enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He was the kind of person who liked creating things. Some of his favorite pastimes were Stamp collecting, comic books, building puzzles and doing crafts.

Donald developed a number of favorite things throughout his life. Donald loved long rides in the country and the colour blue. When it came to food, Donald particularly liked his mother's "sliders". Sitting down and watching a movie or television show was always something he enjoyed, Old western television shows and movies, Country music and music from the 50's.

Donald felt excited and challenged by sports. Even those times when he may not have been the best, he loved to participate. He thoroughly enjoyed the competition as well as the pleasure of being around other people. He relished any opportunities in which he could make an impact. In fact, it was not uncommon for him to push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, he never seemed to get caught off guard. Even when confronted by the unexpected he was able to react and often succeed, thinking quickly on his feet. He also enjoyed watching his favorite teams and events whenever he got the opportunity; Hockey, especially the Montreal Canadians.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Donald recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life, being raised Roman Catholic.

Donald believed that you had to experience life to its fullest and his life in retirement was no different. The day to retire finally arrived in 1993. Like most things in his life, he took it in stride as one more way to have fun, very cheery and bright. With his boundless energy, he remained busy with people and projects. Not only did Donald stay in touch with old friends, he befriended plenty of new people as well.

Donald Hebert left us on May 14, 2011. He passed away at home with his family close by. He was 75 years old. The cause of death was bone cancer. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and 2 of his brothers. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. Services were handled by the Anderson Funeral Home & Cremation Centre. Donald was laid to rest with his mother at Heavenly Rest Cemetery.

Donald was always sharing a good laugh and bringing joy to all of those around him. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and a zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Donald Joseph Hebert lived life to its fullest and made everyone happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile by all whose lives he touched.