DONALD ARCHIE GIRARD

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DONALD ARCHIE GIRARD Aviator, Forester, Teacher It is with great sadness that the family of Don Girard announces his sudden passing on December 17, 2005, at the age of 81 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Evelyne (Wilson); his sons, Don (Kathy) and their children, Susan, Laura, Jennifer and Margaret and John (Judy) and their children, Paul, Ian and Robert; his daughters, Danita and her children, Elizabeth and Anna and Karen (Andrew Nardella) and their children, Marshall and Joseph; sisters, Margaret Woods of Winnipeg and Betty Armstrong of Calgary; and brother Jack of Trenton and many friends. Don was predeceased by his older brother Joe; and his parents, Joseph and Annie. Always a proud Canadian, Don was born in Bowsman, MB on June 25, 1924, the middle of five children. He served as a pilot in the Air Force during the Second World War in Europe. Upon his return to Canada, he embarked on a career in forestry after graduating from the University of British Columbia. He spent the next few years working in logging camps throughout British Columbia. Don settled into teaching and it was in Trail, BC that he met and married Evelyne and had two sons, Don and John. Danita was born in Edmonton shortly before the family moved to the West Indies for two years. In Trinidad, Don helped establish the Mausica Teaching College before moving to Grenada where he was Principal of Grenada's Teaching College. These years remained special to the family and Don and Ev returned to Grenada and Trinidad several times, taking the family on two trips. Karen was born shortly after their return to Edmonton. Don received his PhD in Education and soon after, the family moved to Winnipeg. Don served as Superintendent at Seven Oaks School Division but chose to return to teaching and taught Physics at Sturgeon Creek Collegiate. He retired in 1985 and still had former students recognize, approach and thank him for his unique style of teaching. Don believed strongly in empowering students with trust and a flexible approach to learning. Don and Ev's early years of retirement were spent travelling and spending precious time with the grandchildren. In recent times, Don remained a devoted husband to Evelyne in her struggles with Parkinson's disease. The family was together days before his passing to celebrate Ev's 80th Birthday. Don's greatest pride and joy in life was that he survived to know and adore all 11 grandchildren. The family takes comfort that he lived life independently and in the end, went quickly and peacefully at home. Flowers gratefully declined. Please feel free to donate in Don's honour to a worthy humanitarian cause of your choice. Don's life will be celebrated at a memorial reception on Thursday, December 22 at 3:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2005