DONALD JAMES SANDERSON

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DONALD JAMES SANDERSON January 12, 1928 - January 10, 2007 Although he fought very hard to stay with us, a cure was not to be. Donald James Sanderson of Holland, MB succumbed to prostate cancer on January 10, 2007 in the Notre Dame Hospital, Notre Dame de Lourdes, MB. In a couple of days he would have celebrated his 79th birthday. Don was born on January 12, 1928 to John and Frances (nee Lovie) Sanderson who predeceased him in 1981 and 1988 respectively. He was also predeceased by his sister, Marion (1932) and by his brother Bill (1997). Don leaves behind his wife Ida (nee Brown); his daughter, Beth (Brian) Speiss and their son Trevor (Tamara Thurlbeck); his son Bob (Kathy) and their children, Christopher, Corey and Michelle Morrish. Don is also survived by his brother, Dr. Ken (Elaine) Sanderson; sister-in-law, Nan Sanderson; by three nieces, Patricia (Murray) Wray, Kathy (Pat) Worthington and Valerie Sanderson; three nephews, Jim (Kate) Sanderson, David (Rita) Sanderson and by Glyn (Trina Toner) Sanderson. Although his main love was the land, Don had three hobbies (photography, travelling and flying) each one of which brought him a great deal of pleasure. Don's love of flying led to the Sanderson's involvement in the Manitoba Flying Farmers, a family-oriented organization which provided many opportunities to meet people interested in both aviation and agriculture. The day in September 2006 he let his pilots license lapse was a sad one for Don. He had flown for 40 years, having been presented his wings in 1966. During those decades, the list in his log book is long of people that he took flying, many of them for the first time in a small plane. Whether flying or driving, Don never left home without his camera. As a result there was seldom a non-fiction story Ida wrote that wasn't accompanied by Don's photography. Our legacy is thousands of pictures, among them a collection of 668 Manitoba town signs. Those pictures represent a lot of miles on Manitoba's highways, but also trigger many happy memories. Don loved to travel whether in or out of province. As for community involvement, the 31 years devoted to the governing board of the Tiger Hills Health District (now the Tiger Hills Health Centre) was the longest he served on any committee. The Holland town sign was one of his last interests. Funeral service will be held at the Holland Community Centre, Holland, MB on Monday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. celebrated by Rev. Ron Fletcher and by Rev .Bob Stark. Interment took place in the Brookdale Cemetery, Holland, MB. In lieu of flowers, as expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Don's memory to the Holland United Church Memorial Fund, in care of Charlene Graham, P.O. Box 304, Holland, MB R0G 0X0 or to the Tiger Hills Palliative Care Unit, P.O. Box 342, Treherne, MB R0G 2V0. He lived on earth a little while, And learned the joy of wings. The cloudless sky, the boundless blue, A pilot's favourite things. He lived - he shared, his joy with us, Too soon he flew away, To new horizons, brighter skies, Where earth folk cannot stray. On your final flight Don May you have soared with the angels. Love Always Your Family. On-line-condolences may be made at www.budz.ca Budz Funeral Service of Holland, MB in care of arrangements, 526-2380, 1-866-526-2606.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2007