DONALD ALBERT MCIVOR

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DONALD ALBERT MCIVOR It is with great sadness that McIvor Family announce the sudden passing of our caring and loving father, Donald Albert McIvor, aged 80 years on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at The Pas, Manitoba. Donald Albert was born Sunday, July 26, 1925 at Nelson House, Manitoba. He was the only son of Albert Bethune also known as Toots McIvor and Elise Moose McIvor. Don was also best known as Donald X' in the North. Don was married to Nancy in October 18, 1951 in South Indian Lake, MB. He raised his family initially in Wabowden, Bayline Sections, Cormorant, and with his longest residence in The Pas, MB. As a young man, Don worked as a trapper, fisherman, Hudson Bay clerk and various construction jobs in Manitoba. He was also employed with C.N.R. as a Section Foreman at a number of sites on the Hudson Bay Line. In 1945, he worked for Tom Lamb in Moose Lake, MB. Don worked and retired from the River Sawmill/C.F.I./Manfor where he was a truck driver, and watchman. Once he retired, Don enjoyed making a variety of wood crafts. He made dog sleighs, canoes, uniquely decorated snowshoes and traditional hand drums. Don won many ribbons for his craft work. He enjoyed cooking traditional foods and his famous pancakes and bannock for his family which he would shipped to you via Grey Goose. Don had a great respect for others as he encouraged them to make their own decisions in life. He was noted as always saying, well, it's up to you . He valued the idea of being prepared and looking after yourself to the best of your ability. He always shared his wisdom with family and friends in a positive manner. Don had a great sense of humour and loved to tell stories. He also enjoyed watching the dog sled races during The Pas Trapper's Festival and even participated in a Freight Race. Don pursued an interest in racing sled dogs and for a period of time, he and his son, Doug entered many races. Don liked watching the canoe races during Opaskwayak Indian Days and attending the opening ceremonies to see the flaming arrow. He enjoyed watching his No. 1 channel APTN . He enjoyed watching boxing and admired Muhammad Ali. He was an avid reader. Some of his favorite activities included going to IGA or just visiting friends at the Otineka Mall. Don believed in One Day at a Time' and he maintained 35 years of sobriety. Don attended the Our Lady of the Sacred Cathedral and sat at his regular spot at the back of church. Due to his health, he was not able to attend during his last month of his life. Don had a warm and gentle personality, which he endlessly shared with family and friends. Don was always interested in his children and their families' well being. He enjoyed spending time with all of them equally. In his last months, he came to rely on his children, Rita, Sarah and Doug who lived in The Pas, and the rest of the family will always honour them for all what they have done, it was selfless. Don was proud of his family in all they had accomplished and will continue to accomplish. He had great hope for all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren that they would do well and continue to honour his lasting legacy of a strong family. Don leaves to mourn his passing his loving children, Alice McIvor (Bruce) of Pelican Narrows, SK, Rita McIvor of The Pas, MB, Doug McIvor (Verna) of The Pas, and Rose McIvor-Girouard (Lenny) of Winnipegg, MB, and Sarah McIvor (Jeremiah) of The Pas along with his sister, Helene McIvor of Winnipeg, MB; and his sisters-in-law, Ann Garson and Betsy Flett of Split Lake; grandchildren, Wayne McIvor, Colleen McIvor, Clara Spence, Debbie Pielak, Percy Pielak, Gerald Pielak, Hayden Girouard, great-grandchildren, Jazmine Pielak, Sasha Pielak, Briana Ballantyne, Conan Ballantyne, Maximus Ballantyne, Delaney McIvor-Ballantyne, Gabe Pielak, Morgan Pielak, Jessica Pielak, Allison Pielak, Kain Pielak, Dustin Pielak, Brooklyn Pielak, Joanne Pielak, Curtis Flett, Marcus Flett, and, Deja Dawn Pielak; step-grandchildren, Allysia MacIver, Kristoferson MacIver, Beatrice MacIver, Glenn MacIver, Jamie Merasty, Ronald Dale, Christopher Merasty, Candace Dale, Jeremy Girouard, Jennifer Sinclair; step-great-grandchildren, Danika Merasty, Dru Wallace, Tyler Courchene, Brayson Sinclair and his many nieces and nephews from the Dumas, Moose, Garson, Spence, Flett, and Mcleod families and numerous special friends and extended family. Don's family are grateful for the kindness of his friend, Dwayne Holland. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy McIvor nee Flett, his parents, Elise and Albert McIvor along with his step-mother, Madeline McIvor, his two infant sons, his sisters, Rosie Dumas, Catherine Mcleod, and his great-children, Charmaine McIvor and Ric Ballantyne. A wake was held Sunday, April 9 and Monday, April 10 at the Church of Messiah, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba led by Rev. Verna Jebb and Michael Jebb. The funeral service was held Tuesday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, with Rev. Paul Bringleson and Rev. Verna Jebb presiding. Music Ministry: OCN Singers. Eulogy: Rita McIvor, Albert McLeod. Scripture Readings: Gerald Pielak Jr., Jamie Merasty. Offertory: August Merasty, Verna Dale. Active Pallbearers were Dwayne Holland, Percy Pielak, Gerald Pielak, Darcy Linklater, Ron Chief, Tom McLeod, Mike Dumas and Ric Ballantyne. Honorary Pallbearers were Mike Zahayko and Mary Moran, John and Nellie Morrisseau, Don Campbell, Hilda and Ken Anderson, Leonard Girouard, Albert Ballantyne, Bruce MacIver, Betsy Buck, Jim Buck, Alfred Campbell, Mary Ann Scott, Harry McGillivary, Abraham Linklater, Stanley McGillivary, Horace and Esther Halcrow, Iona McIvor, Jeremiah Buck, Rose and Norville Desjarlais. Following the interment prayers at Riverside Cemetery, The Pas, a reception was held at The Pas Friendship Centre. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, MB, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 20, 2006