DONALD ALEXANDER MORRISON

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DONALD ALEXANDER MORRISON November 15, 1926 October 8, 2017 Peacefully, Donald Morrison slipped away in the early morning, surrounded by his family. In the course of almost 91 years, Don touched a great many lives with his laughter, charisma, musicianship and wisdom. He is survived by the love of his life, wife Rose; daughters, Catherine (Howard), Carolyn, Colleen (Mark); son Colin; special niece Sandi Mitchell and numerous other nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Dolina; brothers, Colin and James; sister Ishbel; son-in-law Al Dalton; and daughter-in-law Maria Kucher. Don grew up in the West End of Winnipeg and, with his father a teamster, had a lifelong fondness for the "heavy" horses. Losing his father in a tragic accident at age 12, Don had to grow up early as the family struggled in the hard times of the Depression. His father had started teaching him the Highland bagpipes at age nine, and this would be one of the defining aspects of Don's life. He began playing with the Cameron Cadet Pipe Band even prior to reaching the minimum age for joining (12), and played with them until he was 19, leaving as Pipe Major. Piping, Minto Armouries and his Cameron buddies were the formative influences in his adolescence. He joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Reserve as a 17 year old and maintained a life-long association with the Camerons and their Pipe Band. In 1947, he joined the Winnipeg Police Force and immediately joined the Police Pipe Band. Don went on to be a member of the Police Force for 39 and one half years (retiring as Acting Superintendent) and incredibly, a member of the Pipe Band for 53 years (18 years as Pipe Major). During his busy years as a police officer and as a member of the Police Pipe Band, Don was also father to a young family. He juggled shift work, piping and home commitments, all while serving as the band instructor of the Cameron Cadet Pipe Band, a position he held for 20 years (retiring as a Captain in the Reserve Army). Piping and drumming lessons were delivered in his home basement to anyone with an interest and willing to practice free of charge. Don believed in passing on the craft, as he himself had been the beneficiary of legendary instructors such as Doug Will and Sandy Cameron, and many former students became his fellow band members. Long before trips for young people became somewhat routine, Don took his Cadet Band to Texas to compete, even supervising Grade 12 Departmental examinations en route so everyone could attend. The Band did well, achieving international honours and Don, competing individually, won the North American competition. At the same time, the Police Pipe Band was one of the finest Pipe Bands in North America and travelled extensively throughout the Continent. In 1960, Don was chosen as the solo piper accompanying the Pine to Palm Tour, a three bus campaign comprised of prominent politicians, business owners, and press promoting tourism and commerce along the route from Winnipeg to New Orleans. This culminated with Don being made an honorary citizen of New Orleans. Don was selected as Pipe Major of a Massed Military Band comprised of Reserve Army and Cadet Band members that played at the Hemisfair in San Antone, Texas. He was Pipe Major of the 200 member Massed Pipe and Drum Band of Winnipeg for the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. Don was also the designated piper for innumerable official functions and played for Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Lieutenant Governors, Prime Ministers, Provincial Premiers and Mayors. He also played at the Dieppe Reunion in France in 1983, after which he was able to visit his brother Colin's grave in Sage, Germany, where Colin had been shot down in one of the last raids of the Second World War. His enthusiasm never waned and in 1992 he founded the ANAVET #283 Legion Pipe Band, which continues on to this day. Don continued playing and in his last competition in 1993 at 66 years of age, he took 1st prize in the Masters category at the Fergus Highland Games To put those achievements in perspective however, a listing of Don's many other awards and acknowledgments is required. He was a graduate of the Canadian Police College Executive Development Course in Ottawa in 1981. In 1984, he received the Police Exemplary Service Medal for the second time. In 1985, he was made an Honorary Director of the Minneapolis Police Concert Band, followed in 1986 by a Certificate of Appreciation from the Minneapolis Police Department and Honorary Citizenship from the City of Minneapolis. In 1986, he received a City of Winnipeg Community Award, the Tourism Manitoba Good Citizenship Award, and the Tourism Ambassador Certificate Award from the Government of Canada. He was the recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration Medal (CD), the Canadian Police Service Medal and Bar for 39 and one half years service. Don was also an Honorary Life Member of the St. Andrews Society and the recipient of the Lord Strathcona Award in 2005. He had been a lifetime member of the Robbie Burns Camp of the Sons of Scotland and a member of the Order of Masons. In 2013, Don received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. Don was also intensely interested in politics and history and virtually never missed a day reading the newspaper or watching the news on television. He was an avid reader and, until just a couple of weeks ago, was still reading three to four books weekly. He could equally discuss the antecedents of the First World War or the re-opening of Portage and Main! Don was someone who must also be remembered as the life of the party. A self-taught piano and accordion player, he could play almost any tune from just a title or the humming of a few bars. He sang, he danced, and had friends from every walk of life literally from across the globe. There was another side of him too though, and this was his humanity something almost palpable you could feel when you were with him. He loved his family, taking pride in their achievements and development as they became young adults. That warmth extended too to animals, and he loved his dogs. While slightly cynical, as you might expect after 39 plus years as a police officer, he never lost a belief in the basic goodness of people, nor indeed in the greatness of this city, province and country, though the Winnipeg Jets did vex him from time to time. Don was intensely proud of his Scottish heritage, but equally proud to be Canadian. He left as a proud Scot and a true Canadian. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 61 Picardy Pl. (Portage Ave. and Canora - east of Vimy Ridge Park).
Publish Date: Oct 13, 2017

DONALD ALEXANDER MORRISON November 15, 1926 October 8, 2017 Peacefully, Donald Morrison slipped away in the early morning, surrounded by his family. In the course of almost 91 years, Don touched a great many lives with his laughter, charisma, musicianship and wisdom. He is survived by the love of his life, wife Rose; daughters, Catherine (Howard), Carolyn, Colleen (Mark); son Colin; special niece Sandi Mitchell and numerous other nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Dolina; brothers, Colin and James; sister Ishbel; son-in-law Al Dalton; and daughter-in-law Maria Kucher. Don grew up in the West End of Winnipeg and, with his father a teamster, had a lifelong fondness for the "heavy" horses. Losing his father in a tragic accident at age 12, Don had to grow up early as the family struggled in the hard times of the Depression. His father had started teaching him the Highland bagpipes at age nine, and this would be one of the defining aspects of Don's life. He began playing with the Cameron Cadet Pipe Band even prior to reaching the minimum age for joining (12), and played with them until he was 19, leaving as Pipe Major. Piping, Minto Armouries and his Cameron buddies were the formative influences in his adolescence. He joined the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Reserve as a 17 year old and maintained a life-long association with the Camerons and their Pipe Band. In 1947, he joined the Winnipeg Police Force and immediately joined the Police Pipe Band. Don went on to be a member of the Police Force for 39 and one half years (retiring as Acting Superintendent) and incredibly, a member of the Pipe Band for 53 years (18 years as Pipe Major). During his busy years as a police officer and as a member of the Police Pipe Band, Don was also father to a young family. He juggled shift work, piping and home commitments, all while serving as the band instructor of the Cameron Cadet Pipe Band, a position he held for 20 years (retiring as a Captain in the Reserve Army). Piping and drumming lessons were delivered in his home basement to anyone with an interest and willing to practice free of charge. Don believed in passing on the craft, as he himself had been the beneficiary of legendary instructors such as Doug Will and Sandy Cameron, and many former students became his fellow band members. Long before trips for young people became somewhat routine, Don took his Cadet Band to Texas to compete, even supervising Grade 12 Departmental examinations en route so everyone could attend. The Band did well, achieving international honours and Don, competing individually, won the North American competition. At the same time, the Police Pipe Band was one of the finest Pipe Bands in North America and travelled extensively throughout the Continent. In 1960, Don was chosen as the solo piper accompanying the Pine to Palm Tour, a three bus campaign comprised of prominent politicians, business owners, and press promoting tourism and commerce along the route from Winnipeg to New Orleans. This culminated with Don being made an honorary citizen of New Orleans. Don was selected as Pipe Major of a Massed Military Band comprised of Reserve Army and Cadet Band members that played at the Hemisfair in San Antone, Texas. He was Pipe Major of the 200 member Massed Pipe and Drum Band of Winnipeg for the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena. Don was also the designated piper for innumerable official functions and played for Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Lieutenant Governors, Prime Ministers, Provincial Premiers and Mayors. He also played at the Dieppe Reunion in France in 1983, after which he was able to visit his brother Colin's grave in Sage, Germany, where Colin had been shot down in one of the last raids of the Second World War. His enthusiasm never waned and in 1992 he founded the ANAVET #283 Legion Pipe Band, which continues on to this day. Don continued playing and in his last competition in 1993 at 66 years of age, he took 1st prize in the Masters category at the Fergus Highland Games To put those achievements in perspective however, a listing of Don's many other awards and acknowledgments is required. He was a graduate of the Canadian Police College Executive Development Course in Ottawa in 1981. In 1984, he received the Police Exemplary Service Medal for the second time. In 1985, he was made an Honorary Director of the Minneapolis Police Concert Band, followed in 1986 by a Certificate of Appreciation from the Minneapolis Police Department and Honorary Citizenship from the City of Minneapolis. In 1986, he received a City of Winnipeg Community Award, the Tourism Manitoba Good Citizenship Award, and the Tourism Ambassador Certificate Award from the Government of Canada. He was the recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration Medal (CD), the Canadian Police Service Medal and Bar for 39 and one half years service. Don was also an Honorary Life Member of the St. Andrews Society and the recipient of the Lord Strathcona Award in 2005. He had been a lifetime member of the Robbie Burns Camp of the Sons of Scotland and a member of the Order of Masons. In 2013, Don received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal. Don was also intensely interested in politics and history and virtually never missed a day reading the newspaper or watching the news on television. He was an avid reader and, until just a couple of weeks ago, was still reading three to four books weekly. He could equally discuss the antecedents of the First World War or the re-opening of Portage and Main! Don was someone who must also be remembered as the life of the party. A self-taught piano and accordion player, he could play almost any tune from just a title or the humming of a few bars. He sang, he danced, and had friends from every walk of life literally from across the globe. There was another side of him too though, and this was his humanity something almost palpable you could feel when you were with him. He loved his family, taking pride in their achievements and development as they became young adults. That warmth extended too to animals, and he loved his dogs. While slightly cynical, as you might expect after 39 plus years as a police officer, he never lost a belief in the basic goodness of people, nor indeed in the greatness of this city, province and country, though the Winnipeg Jets did vex him from time to time. Don was intensely proud of his Scottish heritage, but equally proud to be Canadian. He left as a proud Scot and a true Canadian. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 61 Picardy Pl. (Portage Ave. and Canora - east of Vimy Ridge Park).
Publish Date: Oct 13, 2017

DONALD ALEXANDER MORRISON Peacefully, on October 8, 2017, Donald passed away. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church, 61 Picardy Place, Portage Avenue and Canora (east of Vimy Ridge Park). A longer obituary will follow in Friday's Free Press.
Publish Date: Oct 12, 2017

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 13, 2017