DONALD RAE NEWANS

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DONALD RAE NEWANS Don passed away at his home on Friday, February 22, 2002. Born in Moose Jaw, SK, June 21, 1933, he later moved to Manitoba and settled in Winnipeg. Left to mourn his passing are his wife of 26 years Louise (McKay) daughter April and fiancee John Walker; daughter Leigh-Anne and son-in-law Aaron Olson; cats, The Grape and Ms. Cindi; grandsons, Corey, and Shane Wood of Regina; brother Robert (Anne and Leslie) Martin of Victoria; mother and father-in-law, Maude and Frank McKay; brothers and sisters-in-law, Norman (June) McKay, Jerry (Diane) McKay of Calgary, Doreen (Richard) Bilsborrow, Melvin (Beatrice) McKay, Raymond (Lorraine) McKay from Edmonton, Russell McKay from Calgary, Diane (George) Labonte from Millet, AB; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends (animals) Misty, Snicky, Teiki, and Dobbie. Don was predeceased by his son Wayne Wood; mother Florence Martin; brother Ken Siver of Ontario; sister-in-law Agnes Lavallee (McKay) and brother-in-law George Mckay. He will be especially missed by his friends, Jerry Marcoux, Bob Delaquis, Roy Dubois, Craig Sharpe and Warren Wiltshire. Don achieved many successes in his life which are too numerous to mention in whole. He was involved in Alcoholics Anonymous. Some of his contributions included serving the fellowship as a Circuit speaker, an Institutional volunteer for over 28 years, co-founder of New Dawn I, New Dawn II, and A West K Home Group, plus he sponsored many individuals who are now very successful in their lives. Don attended the University of Winnipeg and received a Certificate as a "Human Service Worker" from the University of Manitoba. He was self-employed as a painter for much of his early life, and later worked as a Property Manager and in the social services field for several organizations including United Church Halfway Homes, Stony Mountain Penitentiary and Rockwood Institutions, Headingley Jail, The Remand Centre, The Manitoba Youth Centre, the old Childrens Aid Society, Marymound and various CFS agencies. Don was a co-founder of Teen Touch, a 24 hour distress line for young people, a Foster parent for many years, and was one of the first open-custody operators in Manitoba. Don always preferred to work with young people whose paths had more challenges than most. His service with these young people through the years has had a positive impact on many lives. Dons family would like to thank all of his friends, especially The Crooks, as well as Lorna and Neeta, who spent countless hours over the past few months, sharing and visiting with him in his home. A special thanks to his caregiver Elaine, the Palliative Care Program, and the Government of Manitoba for our great Health Care System. At Dons request a cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Circle of Life Thunderbird House, 715 Main St. Flowers are gratefully declined, however friends who so wish, may make a donation at the celebration in Dons memory to Teen Touch, or forward it to 210-800 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3G 0N4.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2002