JOHN DONALD ROBERTSON

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JOHN DONALD ROBERTSON Mr. John Donald Robertson, of Winnipeg, MB, died August 31, 2007 at the Health Sciences Centre from complications stemming from his brief but intense battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 69 years old. Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sheila (nee Schaefer), and his children Helene (Tom), Christine (James), and Steven (Michelle), and his stepchildren Debbie (Tony), Sandy (Helder), and Greg (Margaret). Don will also be fondly remembered by his sister Shirley Sheen-Mandin (Louis), his 13 grandchildren, Justin, Corey, Camilla, Carter, Sarah, Nathan, Kaden, Rem, Cam, Chris, Amanda, Kristine, John, his great-grandson Justice, and all of his many nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by both Vera (Helene and Christine's mother), and Yvonne (Steven's mother). Don Robertson was born, May 6, 1938 in Saskatoon, SK, the son of late John and Myrtle Robertson. His academic achievements include graduation from high school at Bedford Road Collegiate Institute in 1955, completing an undergrad in Regina, and finally a Master's in Social Work at University of British Columbia. His career in social services spanned four decades, during which time he worked mainly for the Crown in the provinces of Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The last twenty years of his career were spent in Winnipeg, originally working in Child and Family Services and eventually moving into vocational rehabilitation. Don lived and enjoyed a full life, one that kept ever increasing in speed and variety until his retirement - that's when things really got busy. Between golf, the Wellness Centre, dancing, volunteer activities, church choir, board meetings, and playing Santa Claus, he was busier in retirement than he ever was in his professional career. His family will remember him as an outgoing man who liked to be around people and enjoyed social settings. But he also had a quiet and gentle side to him, whose spiritual nature would only reveal itself to those closest to him. His laughter had the ability to fill an empty room with life. He was loved by his family, respected by his friends, and esteemed by his peers. He will be missed and not soon forgotten. A memorial service in celebration of Don's life will be held on Friday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the Calvary Temple's Buntain Chapel at 400 Hargrave Street in Winnipeg with Pastor Bruce Martin officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Brookside Cemetery. Those who desire may make memorial donations in memory of Don to the Calvary Temple Camp (400 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3B 3A8). neil bardal inc. 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 06, 2007