DONALD GEORGE FRASER KERR

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DONALD GEORGE FRASER KERR Donald George Fraser Kerr, born on October 15, 1919, left us peacefully, with his wife Catherine and children by his side, on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at Tuxedo Villa. He was 91 years old. Don was born in his Mom's (Florence Cox) and Dad's (William Kerr) home in the North End of Winnipeg at 1438 Alexander Avenue. Remembering him with love are his wife of 67 years, Catherine; and their six children, Gordon (Andrea), David (Jane), Donald, Deborah (Bob), Andrea (John) and Laura (Jim), and welcomed 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren into the world. He was a very proud husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Edward and sister Margaret (Ostwald). Don went to Cecil Rhodes for elementary school, Hugh John MacDonald for junior high and to Daniel McIntyre for High School. He loved acting and singing in the school musicals and loved playing basketball and soccer. He went overseas to serve his country during the Second World War with the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. Don retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and commanding officer of 108 Manning Depot. Don played guard for the Paulins Basketball team, a very successful team that won the Canadian Championship. He had immense talent and was offered a tryout with the MBA. He turned down the opportunity as he did not believe that this position would offer enough security to bring up a family. He always practiced his fancy footwork and pivots that enabled him to get by his opponents. He was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame as a Builder in 1984. Don was the Director of Investment Accounting at the Great-West Life Assurance Company. He retired at 65. He then spent even more time as a generous and dedicated volunteer. He donated many hours to the Manitoba Basketball Association, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Curling Association and the Granite Curling Club. As well as being the secretary treasurer of the Granite Senators, he was also the social committee chairman - and he enjoyed that job thoroughly. Don spent many hours cheering on his children at swim meets. He also spent many hours volunteering as a timer and official at swim meets and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year by Masters Swimming Manitoba. Don supported many, many charities. He was known far and wide as a kind, generous, witty and charming man. He loved a good joke. His kind face and dry sense of humour made those who knew him admire and cherish him. Thank you Dad for being you. You have left everyone who was important in your life with such wonderful memories. A funeral service and reception to celebrate Don's life will be held at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. For those who wish, viewing will be held prior to the service. Should you choose, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders. We also encourage you, in the spirit of our Dad's life, to give to others - spend time volunteering. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.mb.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2011