DON R. BROWNELL

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DON R. BROWNELL MAY 13, 1926 MAY 13, 2015 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Don R. Brownell, peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his family. Predeceased by his parents, Laurence and Alison, and his brother, Dr. Ted Brownell. He is survived by Barb, his best friend, loving wife and supporter for 64 years. Also surviving are his children, Judy (Tim) Walker, John (Michelle) Brownell, Laurie (David) Curtis, Marni Brownell (Stephen Sandstrom), and grandchildren, Jeremy (Nicole), Brian (Darolyn), Aynsley (Blair), Brittany (Mischa), Jordan, Emily, Sam, Alison and Andrea, and great- grandchildren, Braedan and Jaelyn. Following wartime service with the R.C.A.F. and later the Canadian Infantry Corps, Don attended the University of Manitoba, where he was elected Senior Stick of the Faculty of Education. Don, also known as "Dad", "Pops", "Grampa", "Buddy", "Gaboo", "Big Guy", and "Mr. Blackheart", led a full and active life during which he had a variety of careers including teacher, national sales and marketing manager, and financial planner with Great West Life for 30 years. Over the course of his business career, he served as President of the Sales and Marketing Executives of Winnipeg, The Estate Planning Council of Winnipeg, and the Winnipeg CLU Chapter. He also served a term as Trustee of the Chartered Life Underwriters of Canada. Don strongly believed in giving back to the community and worked tirelessly as a volunteer, fundraiser, and quiet philanthropist. As a volunteer in the area of community service, he was Chairman of Fundraising, Chairman of the Committee of Stewards, and Chairman of the official board of his church; Chairman of the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation where he was the 2007 recipient of their "Angel Award"; a board member of the Manitoba Opera Association; and a member of the advisory committee of the United Way Tomorrow Fund. Don's love of sports included basketball, as a player, a coach (won provincial basketball championships in Manitoba and Saskatchewan), and a referee. In the sport of handball, he competed in international competitions, including two world championships. He served as Manitoba Handball Commissioner and president of the Manitoba Handball Association for several years, and later as president of the Canadian Handball Association and as a member of the World Handball Council. In 1983, he was the first recipient of the Rudy Harris Memorial Handball Award for outstanding contribution to handball. In 2009, Don was inducted into the Canadian Handball Association Hall of Fame as a Contributor/Builder. As the physical demands of strenuous sports began to take their toll, Don restricted his competition to golf, winning some trophies and a few side bets. He served on the boards of Southwood Golf and Country Club, and St. Charles Country Club. Don took tremendous interest and pride in following the endeavours of his four children, nine grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was the ultimate supporter! The family extends heartfelt thanks to the Palliative Home Care Program and the St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit for their tremendous care and support. Dad was a man of strong character who exemplified honesty, integrity, hard work and compassion. We were as proud of him as he was of us, and we will miss him dearly. Love you forever! A celebration of Don's life will take place at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue, on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Misericordia Health Centre Foundation, or "The Don and Barbara Brownell Family Fund" within the United Way Tomorrow Fund. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2015