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DONALD GOOSEN (DON)
Born: Aug 06, 1964
Date of Passing: Feb 17, 2022
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DONALD JEFFREY GOOSEN
August 6, 1964 – February 17, 2022
It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Don Goosen at Abbotsford General Hospital, British Columbia after a short and courageous battle with AL Amyloidosis.
Diagnosed December 2021, Don fought this cruel and rare disease with courage, strength and optimism before God took him home at the age of 57.
Don will be lovingly remembered by his mother Hedie; his partner Susan; his children, Alexis, Ty and Amanda, Matt and Maddie; Susan's children Connor and Christine, Samantha and Devinder; granddaughters Amira and Presley; siblings Jack and Peggy, Debbie and Mike, Heidi; many nieces and nephews; Don is predeceased by his father Jacob Goosen, who passed eleven months previous on March 17, 2021.
Don was born in Winnipeg Manitoba and grew up in a family of four children. At a young age, his propensity for drums was evident when as a baby, his mom made a makeshift drum set with kitchen items in the late hours to keep him amused. This talent evolved into a 'gig' as drummer for a band Crystal Bridge in his youth. They would practice in the basement where Don's grandmother would listen and adore their version of The Rose as it reminded her of a church hymn. Don's loving and affectionate heart showed early when in kindergarten Don told his teacher he forgot what his mother looked like so that he could be walked to his home across the street to give her a hug. He grew up spending family vacations in Ontario, B.C., Disney World and Las Vegas where his sister Debbie remembers as 'the babysitter', her easy going and very caring brother Don spending his time fine tuning his skills at arcade games and pinball. Don professed God blessed him with a full head of hair and at the age of 16 it is believed after attending a pool party that his wavy locks transformed to a mass of curls.
Don attended Red River College in Winnipeg before investing in a lengthy career in Loss Prevention Investigation. He worked for companies including The Hudson's Bay Company, Manitoba Lotteries Corporation at Club Regent Casino, Indigo Books, Cabela's and finally The Northwest Company in a position that brought him opportunities to travel to remote communities including Arctic Bay, Iqaluit and Guam.
Don lived in the Winnipeg area most of his life where he raised his children with his children's mother Joanne. They owned a hobby farm close to Niverville where they raised chickens, goats, sheep, bunnies, alpacas and even a donkey. It was also a wonderful place to practice one of Don's many loves; football. A lifelong Miami Dolphin fan, the farm was a perfect place to throw the football with his boys and invent the infamous play "Hooks to Septic". In addition to "The Fish", Don's love of Seinfeld was infectious and his appreciation of fine watches was his timeless passion.
Don moved to Chilliwack, BC at the beginning of 2020 to be with the love of his life Susan. Divine Intervention led them together when they met the previous year. A true gentleman and romantic, he asked her father for her hand in marriage and proposed in front of her parents on bended knee shortly after. Susan's family treasured and embraced Don with open arms including her two Labrador pups, Winston and Bailey. Visions of retirement in paradise were beginning to be realized when they traveled to Mexico and put a deposit on their dream condo in December shortly before Don's health took a turn. They shared a love beyond the world and Don gave her a forever with their numbered days.
Don's infectious and welcoming personality attracted a large number of friends along his journey including his childhood friend group "Full Book" who inspired Don's contagious and over use of the word "Full". Many who met Don immediately considered him like a brother. His wonderful sense of humour, overflowing generosity and loving kindness will long be remembered by his family and friends.
The family would like thank the staff of Chilliwack General Hospital's 4th and 2nd floors and ICU as well as Abbotsford General Hospital's ICU and CCU for their care and professional attention. As per Don's wishes, a cremation has taken place. A private service and Celebration of Life is being held this summer near Don's home in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Donations in Don's memory can be made to the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2022
Condolences & Memories (16 entries)
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Wow, I was shocked to hear of Don's passing, what a great boss, mentor and leader he was to me at Cabelas, I vividly remember Don always trying to get me to watch the NFL and his Dolphins, ...we would on several occasion talk about how many watches he had compared to how many fishing rods I had, he was a great man, he will be surely missed but the great memories will live forever, condolences to the family. - Posted by: Perry Wnuk (Co worker) on: Apr 06, 2022
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We were so saddened to hear about Don-but as always he brought joy and laughter to us as we recalled our times with him! A true gentleman-so kind, so respectful and so very very funny! He also had integrity and ethics above reproach which made working with him a privilege for us- first with me at The Bay and later with Bob at Lotteries. He was one of those rare people where just seeing his smiling face made your day better, and whose positive energy would always leave you smiling as well. Such a remarkable guy.... so thankful to have known such a pure spirit whose memory will always bring us the same smiles he brought to us in person! Our deepest condolences to his family- - Posted by: Trish and Bob Benson (co-workers) on: Apr 05, 2022
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I went to school with Don. He was a great person, always friendly and always stop to chat. My condolences to the family. The world has lost a good person far too soon. - Posted by: Joanne Kaston-Radford (School friend) on: Mar 19, 2022
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I had the great pleasure to work with Don during my career at The Bay. We worked many years together downtown and at St Vital. I was happy to run into him while shopping at Cabellas a few years ago, and of course Don being in LP he saw me on the security camera and made a special effort to come out and say hello. Always a positive guy to be around and a smile always on his face. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed. - Posted by: Kerry Swan (Walton) (former co-worker ) on: Mar 19, 2022
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I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. I went to school and worked with Don. He was one of the nicest people I've ever known. He was always smiling and such a positive person. He always spoke with so much love about his kids. Don will be missed by many. My sincere condolences. Janet - Posted by: Janet Heywood (Friend) on: Mar 19, 2022
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Donny was a special soul indeed. He adored our daughter Susan and she him. What a privilege to love and to share our journey with Donny. He will be so missed by our family. - Posted by: Donald and Dorothy Little (In laws) on: Mar 18, 2022
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Don was a great friend, excellent co worker and invested mentor. We played ball together for many years with the Pembina 38’s and had hundreds of laughs together. You still make me smile. - Posted by: Corey (Friend) on: Mar 18, 2022
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There are few people you work with over the years who truly stand out in your memory, in a good way. Don was one of them. I worked with him at Club Regent Casino and he was always concerned and interested in others. You never knew if he was having a bad day because that big smile was ever present. The last time I saw Don was when he worked at Chapters Indigo. I was browsing the books, not knowing he worked there. Out of the Security office he bounded, with that smile, just to say hello and see how I was. It was so great to see him again and I am saddened that he is gone far too soon. Thanks for being you Don. My condolences to all the family. - Posted by: Judi Parry (Co-worker) on: Mar 18, 2022
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I first met Don while working LP at the Bay Downtown many years ago... Don and I always got into some fun while working together. We stayed close throughout the years when he was at Chapter's, and Cabela's. Being a Pats fan, Goosen couldn't stand it. Throughout the years we would always bug each other when our team won (Pats usually won)... Definitely going to miss him. Condolences to the family. - Posted by: Jordan Shelest (Friend / Coworker) on: Mar 17, 2022
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It’s very true that you don’t know what you miss till it’s gone. Don and I spent a lot of time together when we were kids. I have many memories of the times we spent together and the things we did. I honestly don’t remember a time when I saw him angry and he always seemed so full of life. We drifted apart in our teenage years but I had been thinking of reconnecting with him when I found out he moved to BC. I’ll always be sorry for the phone call I should have made. Don, you will be missed. - Posted by: Stan Goosen (Cousin ) on: Mar 17, 2022
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Don was my “mentor with Cabelas when I started there. We talked on the phone and I thought man this guy says “good grief” a lot. Who says that. Well Mr. Don Goosen does. Don was never out to get ahead or be better than the next guy. He wanted to live life right, was proud of his family, and loved to make people feel better about their personal and professional lives. Don and I didn’t connect as much as we used to and I’m not afraid to say that I am sorry for letting a friendship like Don’s slip away. He will be missed by many and remembered for so many moments. The funniest thing I ever heard was “first they invented the telegraph, then the telephone, then the tell-a-goosen, he’ll tell everyone!! To anyone that reads this. Please take the time to remember the times. Don you will be missed - Posted by: Michael Holt (Coworker) on: Mar 17, 2022
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My condolences to Don’s family and children. Don was such an amazing dad to Alexis, Matt and Ty. I was the shy and quiet kid who lived across the street from the Goosen’s. I quickly became best friends with Don’s daughter, Alexis. Whenever I was at the Goosen’s house, Don always made me laugh and smile and treated me like one of his own children. His laugh was infectious, he always cracked the best cheesy jokes, and would say “LEXXXXXX!” When he would give her a hard time. I know how much he was loved by his kids and the rest of his family. I have so many fond memories of Don, Joanne, and their children together. It is so sad and tragic that he is gone so soon, when I can still clearly hear his voice and picture his face in my head after 22+ years of knowing the family. Rest in peace, Don; and may your family be comforted with knowing you will always be looking after them from above. - Posted by: Brooke Wendzina (Friend of Don’s daughter, Alexis) on: Mar 17, 2022
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Don ♥️ We clicked the first day that you started on the job, and not knowing how much of a connection we had (my dad), there was just something about you that made me feel like I knew you for my entire life. I looked forward to our shifts overlapping, our lunch picnics, our top secret detective/AP meetings, our encouraging of stupid behaviour to make each other laugh and are memorable NSO trips. As exhausting as it was to work the long hours, and physical and mental labour day in and day out at a grand opening, we always relied on our nightly whiskey retreats. Mission: get back to hotel and change as fast as possible. Meet at Cori's room so her and Wes could smoke. Take turns bringing the bottle of whiskey. Wes brought the ice, Cori the Pepsi and Don brought the Ms Vicky's chips. We would just make each other laugh..and laugh. Always making sure I had plenty of evidence by taking pictures, videos and sometimes making music videos! He was kind and loving, generous and thoughtful. He was hilarious and never thought twice of being the butt of the joke to make the room laugh.. I appreciated his humour. He understood the importance of crackin a joke regardless of the seriousness of the situation 😜 He was someone you were drawn to, you just enjoyed being around him. He was a proud Dad, always spoke of his boys and beautiful daughter and showing off the latest pics of them. Just saying "he's a nice guy" is an understatement. I'll miss you Don, I'm sure you and my Dad are enjoying a cold one and having laughs 🥃 Cheers ❤️ - Posted by: Cori Jelenski (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2022
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I worked with Don for many years at The Bay. He was a genuine, kind hearted man. He was always happy and his smile would light up a room. He loved his kids so much and always spoke so highly and proudly of them. I have so many wonderful memories of Don. I’m very sad to hear this news of his passing. My sincere condolences to the family. Kim Tronrud Morrison - Posted by: Kim Tronrud (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2022
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My deepest condolences to Don’s family. So many great memories growing up with “Foose”. Slurpee runs, basketball outside at the Westwood courts, motorcycles, pool parties. Don was a great guy and will be missed. - Posted by: Bruce Rannard (Lifelong Friend) on: Mar 17, 2022
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Jack, So sorry for your loss of your brother 💕 - Posted by: Lani Robb (Co-worker of Jack (brother)) on: Mar 17, 2022