DONALD GARY DEWAR

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DONALD GARY DEWAR 1938 2007 We were shocked and now are forever saddened by the sudden death of Don Dewar, loving husband of Christine, loving father of Richard, cherished son-in-law and brother-in-law, nephew, uncle and cousin, loyal friend and colleague, benevolent teacher and coach. He died at home in his sleep on October 23 at 69 years of age. Don was born on June 15, 1938 in Selkirk MB, the only child of Edith (nee Ablett) and Pat (Earl S.) Dewar. He was educated in the town's schools, before earning a BA from United College (University of Winnipeg) in 1961, and a BEd from the University of Manitoba in 1970. Don worked for Child and Family Services in Winnipeg, before deciding to go into education. In 1964 he accepted a job as a permit teacher at Arborg Collegiate. In 1977 he was hired by the Winnipeg School Division, and taught at Sister High School and River Heights Junior High, before retiring in 1993. He taught primarily English language arts and social studies, but devoted many hours to coaching school sports. His broad interest in track field yielded to a focus on throwing events with a special expertise in the hammer. Over the years he nurtured both rural and urban, novice and seasoned throwers, and took great pride in his athletes' development and achievements. Don was a complex and multi-faceted individual a scholar and a gentleman, an idealist and romantic, a philosopher and a seeker. When an idea or project captured his interest, Don devoted all of his attention and passion to mastering it. He had a unique but optimistic outlook on life, and a ten-year-old's sense of the absurd. His vast vocabulary and extensive knowledge of many subjects impressed and entertained his listeners. He was generous with his time and money to both stranger and friend alike. Don loved the outdoors, and spent many hours under the open sky, as a coach, fossil hunter, walker and gardener. He participated in many sports from curling to hammer throw, and enjoyed his many opportunities to travel widely. Don was a loving husband to Chris whom he met at United College and married in 1964. He was also a devoted father to Richard, and will be sadly missed by his extended family: mother-in-law Rosina Simonis; sisters-in-law Dietlinde Cripps, Mariea (Vili) Moldoveanu, and Stefanie Zamfir and families; nephews Sean (Teresa) Cripps and Shane (Li) Cripps and families; aunts Ione Dewar and Ellma McMillan; cousins Shirley (Wayne) Busch, Elizabeth Johnson, Harry (Margaret) Dewar, Eleanor Cameron, Patricia (Bill) Bracegirdle, Rick (Pat) Dewar, and families. He was predeceased by his mother (1981) and father (1991), grandparents Clara Jane (nee Griffin) and H. Stanley Dewar of Selkirk MB in 1979 and 1960, grandparents Beatrice (nee Freeman) and William H. Ablett of Elkhorn MB in 1953 and 1922. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Interment at Glen Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery to take place before the service. If friends so desire, donations to honour Don's memory may be made to The University of Winnipeg Library, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9; The Trans Canada Trail, 43 Westminster North, Montreal QC H4X 1Y8; or Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 31, 2007