DONALD GABEL SCARTH

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DONALD GABEL SCARTH With great sorrow the family announces the passing of their precious husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Donald Gabel Scarth on November 1, 2001. Don was born on October 16, 1912 in Winnipeg to Cuthbert and Wilhelmina Scarth, the eldest of nine children. He attended George V Elementary School and St. Johns High. Don spent his childhood in the East Kildonan and Polson Avenue areas moving to St. James shortly after his marriage, where he remained a life long resident. His employment years were spent as a mechanic rising to the plant supervisory position at Domtar Packaging Ltd. where he ended his career following 34 years of service. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed his time spent with family and friends sitting in the marsh or traipsing through the bush. His tall tales never ceased to amaze us along with his terrific sense of humour. A true family man, he took his responsibilities as an elder brother, husband, father, and grandfather very seriously passing on the same level of commitment to his children and grandchildren. He always was there for us. Don spent many years at his St. Peters Road cottage riding his "Deere John", gardening to feed the nation, explaining the flora and fauna to his beloved grandchildren, playing his mouth organ and accordion and boating on the Red River. Don was married on June 1, 1940 to his Mary, the love of his life, with whom he enjoyed 61 years of marriage. Together they raised their family, gardened, travelled, and cruised, and supported each other in meeting their familys needs. Life was never dull with him as he ventured into hobby farming with chickens, turkeys, and rabbits. Dons skills with all things mechanical was legendary, always inventing a simpler way to perform arduous tasks hence an old ford car became the tractor, the building of the first motorized camper (the licensing board did not know what to call it), an old ringer washer became an automatic pea sheller, a drill became an apple corer, an old riding mower a fogger, and a patented plastic folding machine. His carpentry and electrical skills assisted the family in building homes and cottages, plus his own on Wallasey Street, Breezy Point, and St. Peters Road. Don was predeceased by his brother Arthur M.I.A. 1942; father Cuthbert in 1955; mother Wilhelmina in 1959; brothers, Rolly in 1986, Dick in 1988 and Herb in 2001. He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife Mary; children, Donna (Doug) Spraggs, Alan (Judy) Scarth, Wayne (Irene) Scarth, Marilynne Scarth, and daughter-in-law Dianna Scarth; grandchildren, Kevin (Andrea) Scarth, Shanon (Conway) Wieler, Craig Scarth, Kent (Sheila) Spraggs, Alana (Laurie) Howden, Todd Scarth, Erin (Scott) Scarth-Lengyel and Timothy Scarth; great-grandchildren, Cailey, Landon and Jaden Wieler and Emma Scarth; brother Ted (Norma) sisters, Vi Glendinning, Dorothy (Erik) Nielsen, Bea (Reg) Parkin; sisters-in-law, Elsie, Kay and Rose Scarth and numerous nephews and nieces. Dons love of life and people made him many friends. He will be greatly missed. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. A. N. Schroeder for his kindness and assistance during Dons illness. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, November 5 at 3:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. Interment and reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, contribution in Dons memory can be made to the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301-352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H8. "We love you dearly. You will always be in our hearts." Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2001