DONALD T. MCKINNON

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DONALD T. MCKINNON Peacefully, on Sunday, January 13, 2013 Donald Taylor McKinnon passed away at the Riverview Health Centre, just 11 days before his 87th birthday. He was born in Winnipeg on January 24, 1926 to Donald Ernest McKinnon and Mary Vinian Taylor. Don leaves behind his daughter Cathy (Lorne Colpitts) and their children Brad and Pam; his sons Gordon (Lori Spivak) and their children Sarah, Andrew and Daniel; and Bruce (Janina) and their children Geoffrey and Jennifer. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret McKinnon (nee Robinson) in 2005, his younger brother Arthur McKinnon in 1995 and his special friend Myrna McGregor in 2011. Don grew up on Clifton Street, attending Isaac Brock School and then Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. He was working at the Searle Grain Company when he was drafted into the navy in September 1944. He trained at HMCS Chippewa in Winnipeg and later in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. During the war, Don served on the HMCS Helena in Halifax Harbour and then was posted to the frigate HMCS Beacon Hill. Donald was active in the reserves and one of the highlights of his life was being sent to represent the Winnipeg Reserves at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. As a returning veteran, Don attended the University of Manitoba obtaining a science degree and then later his Bachelor and Masters of Education. He began his teaching career in the Winnipeg School Division at Wellington, Andrew Mynarski and Luxton schools before accepting a position as a vice principal in the St. James School Division. He pursued an administrative career in many schools in the division, including Birchwood, Woodhaven, Britannia, Assiniboine, Lincoln and Sansome, eventually retiring from the school where he had begun his St. James career - Linwood. One of the proudest accomplishments of his career was serving as president of the Manitoba Teachers' Society in 1966 / 1967. Another highlight was his participation in Project Overseas in 1963, travelling to Liberia to provide professional development for the teachers of that country. Don met his future wife, Margaret Robinson, in 1946 when she was asked to be a substitute bridge player in one of his regular bridge games. They were married in 1948 and soon moved into a house in St. James that Marg's parents had purchased. Don continued to live there until this November. Over their more than 50 years of marriage, Don and Marg shared many memorable experiences and travelled extensively. In particular, they loved cruising the waterways of the world. They were active members of the Unitarian Church of Winnipeg for more than half a century. Don took a leading role in his church both at the congregational level and at the district level, where he served as a trustee from 1995 to 2003. Family and friends remember many happy times at the McKinnon cottage at Betula Lake. The grandchildren have fond memories of picking blueberries, playing cards, hiking, floating off the dock and laughing. Later in life, Don developed a close relationship with Myrna McGregor with whom he travelled and shared his life. Don was passionate about his model railroad and spent thousands of hours of his adult life working on the huge layout that took over most of the basement of his home, becoming quite indignant when family or friends referred to it as his "train set". So, of course, his family said that all the time. He spent a great deal of time with a close group of his friends that he met through the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club. He also loved stamp collecting, gardening, reading and needlepoint. He was a life long season ticket holder of the Winnipeg Symphony, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and the old Winnipeg Jets. Dad was known for his self assurance, wit and keen interest in politics and issues of the day. He advocated for progressive ideas and social justice and was decades ahead of his time. He loved a good debate and was always happy to defend his position on any subject. The family would like to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Program. We were grateful for their compassion and caring both at home and in the Riverview Health Centre. A memorial service celebrating Don's life will be held on Friday, January 25 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 603 Wellington Crescent (at the corner of Wellington Crescent and Maryland) at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Riverview Health Centre Foundation would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2013