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Diamond
Born: Apr 24, 1937
Date of Passing: Mar 28, 2021
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDIAMOND: Donald Ervin. April 24, 1937-March 28, 2021. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our father. Dad quietly passed away at home with his daughter Janet by his side on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at 83 years of age. Our hearts are broken, but we also know dad has found his peace and has risen up to be with his one true love, his beloved wife Florence who passed away in 2009. He is forever the proud father of Janet Diamond, Thomas Diamond, Valerie (Dan) Hillinger; loving grandpa of Nancy (Paul), Philip, Jennifer (Justin), Megan, Joshua (Natalie) and Jessica (Caleb); and great grandfather of Mackenzie, Madelyn, Kipton, Rhett, Jase, Ayla, Greyson and Sage. Dad was born and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He left home at the age of 15 years to join the military, where he served from 1956-1975. He was a true soldier. During a posting in Europe, Dad was with the 2nd RCHA and developed into a very exceptional broadcaster/producer of the show Western Express. In addition to his regular announcements and interviews for Brigade Magazine Show. This was definitely something he excelled at and looked forward to regularly. After retiring from the military, Dad took us to Thompson, Manitoba where he apprenticed as an electrician for KNC Electric. After leaving Northern Manitoba, Mum and Dad settled down in Cottonwood Acres. Throughout that time, our father was a member of the Canadian Golf Superintendent Association and spent his days working at C.F.B. Shilo Golf Course. Following that, Dad took a job at Brandon Keystone Curling Club as an ice technician. Throughout the years, going back home to visit our parents was always a special time for us all! We have many cherished memories that well be with us forever. We will find our peace too in all that we remember growing up with this exceptional man we are blessed enough to call our dad.
Premonition
'Twas a year ago and the moon was bright
(Oh, I remember
so well, so well);
I walked with my
love in a sea of light,
And the voice of my sweet was a silver bell.
And sudden the moon
grew strangely dull,
And sudden my love
had taken wing;I looked on the face
of a grinning skull,
I strained to my heart
a ghastly thing.
'Twas but fantasy,
for my love lay still
In my arms,
with her tender eyes aglow,
And she wondered
why my lips were chill,
Why I was silent
and kissed her so.
A year has gone
and the moon is bright,
A gibbous moon,
like a ghost of woe;
I sit by a new-made
grave tonight,
And my heart is broken-it's strange, you know.
-Robert Service
May you Rest In Peace
Dad, God Bless!
We watched you fade away.
Our hearts were
almost Broken.
You fought so hard to stay,
But when we saw
you sleeping so peacefully free from pain.
We could not wish you back to suffer that again.
We will miss you forever
and never forget.
All our love!
Expressions of sympathy
may be made at
www.memorieschapel.com
As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 17, 2021
Condolences & Memories (10 entries)
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I remember Donnie as being a good brother. Did not know him well in later years. However in my early child years I have several memories of him being kind and caring. - Posted by: Al Diamond (Brother) on: Apr 25, 2021
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To me Dipper was the A Bty Sigs NCO, the best in 1RCHA. Besides being a great Sigs NCO, was a greater scrounger for fresh rations from German farmers for our US hard rations. He volunteered to come with A Bty members to take a WW II battlefield tour of Italy in 1971, the 100th anniversary of the battery. Quite an experience. Dippy was always ready to put on a party. On the Fall Ex in 1972. the Regt was order to hide in small local villages. Dipper was on the receipt party with me and convinced me to deploy adjacent to a Gasthof. The Gaston owner gave us approval. Dipper setup the radios. With extended aerials and microphone cables. The battery while under reasonable control, spent a lot of money in the Gasthof. It was known locally as one of the best maker of snaps in the area. The Gasthof owner did so well with the money he made, the reasonably good behaviour of Canadian Soldiers that he put on a free party Sunday evening. Dipper was my great party man. Just before I returned to Canada in July 73, I was tasked to put on a family day for the Regiment. Dipper and a few other MBdr volunteered to help me out. What a party they put on. They got pony rides, etc. The teenagers out smarted me by their natural experience of living in Germany by getting into the adult garbage cans of beer and ice, instead of the pop garbage cans. None-the less a good time was had by all and the NCOs came through as my hero’s. Wayne - Posted by: Wayne Shellnutt (Fellow Nova Scotian (Caper), CPO Crew A Bty) on: Apr 17, 2021
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Our condolences to the family for your loss. Don and I served with 2RCHA during the 1960s, in Winnipeg 1960 then Germany 1964 to 1967. We also worked side by side with C/S 1 with 1 RCHA in the early 70s Don was excellent at his job. Don “END of MISSION” My friend MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. - Posted by: Sandy & Wayne MacTavish (Comrade ) on: Apr 17, 2021
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We send our heartfelt condolences to Janet, Tom and Valerie and to their families. We have many fond memories of your Mom and Dad from our time together in Germany and also in Shilo. A beautiful couple together again. Rest In Peace Don. - Posted by: Don and Sandy Walker (Friends) on: Apr 17, 2021
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We send our heartfelt condolences to Janet, Tom and Valerie and to their families. We have many fond memories of your Mom and Dad from our time together in Germany and also in Shilo. A beautiful couple together again. Rest In Peace Don. - Posted by: Don and Sandy Walker (Friends) on: Apr 17, 2021
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We send our heartfelt condolences to Janet, Tom and Valerie and to their families. We have many fond memories of your Mom and Dad from our time together in Germany and also in Shilo. A beautiful couple together again. Rest In Peace Don. - Posted by: Don and Sandy Walker (Friends) on: Apr 17, 2021
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Condolences to the family, thoughts and prayers sent your way. RIP Gunner, - Posted by: ROBERT HOWELL (VETERAN GUNNER) on: Apr 17, 2021
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RIP Soldier and thank you for your service. My condolences to the family. Don Labossiere - Posted by: Labossiere Don (Another Soldier) on: Apr 17, 2021
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Please except my sincere condolences, Don was a good friend to all as most Nova Scotians are. I never missed to many of his broadcasts on Radio CAE Dip played the music that most soldiers liked. RIP "UBIQUE" - Posted by: Sid Rafuse (Served together in Germany) on: Apr 17, 2021
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Great friend RIP QUBIQUE - Posted by: Doc Halladay (Fellow Gunner) on: Apr 17, 2021
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