R.D. (BOB) MCDONALD

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R.D. (BOB) McDONALD Formerly of Winnipeg. Passed away at his home on Hardisty Drive in Edmonton, AB on August 6, 2002. Bob was born in Winnipeg, March 3, 1930 and moved to Charleswood at an early age, where he completed his grade 11 and went to Kelvin High School for grade 12 as this grade was not offered in Charleswood at the time. Bob went from high school to work for London Life Insurance - there began his career in the insurance business. He moved with London Life to Edmonton about 1956 and has since enjoyed a successful career in insurance and commercial real estate. He wound down his business about a year ago due to failing health - he had lived with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for about five years. Bob was a great family man, he and Joan (Gibbons) had four children, Jill, Pam, Nancy and Joel. After Joans passing, he married Judy Hamilton who has two children, Bruce and Carrie - Bob became their Papa also. He will be greatly missed by all of his families. Bob was the third born into a family of 11. He was predeceased by his parents and one sister. He is survived by five sisters and four brothers and their families, all who feel the void left by a precious brother and uncle. Cremation has taken place and Bobs ashes will be distributed at Pigeon Lake, AB; where he and his family spent many happy summers at their cottage. Joan is buried at the Rundle Mission Cemetery at Pigeon Lake, AB. TO PAPA I hope your journey home is absorbed in thoughts of family. New beginnings, your clan expanding Holidays and hugs, reunions, and weddings Celebrations through seasons passing Trips and birthdays and all the laughing And I hope your journey home is filled with vivid memories. Of autumn leaves and warm lake water Of sunflowers, eagle feathers, And childrens laughter Of orange-bellied robins perched On top of spruce trees Singing soft and distant melodies And remember that blue heron sweeping Along the dusky horizon And all those bright rainbows arching across the stormy heavens And recall the cedar waxwings hanging like jewels in the mountain ashes A lifetime of sunrises and sunsets; Rich kaleidoscopic flashes Remember these things as you carry on home. The suffering will pass, But your spirit will always roam In the sweet songs of the birds and The changing colours of the leaves Within the petals on the flowers and The gems in the trees And along the lake shore and The warm evening breeze Because now, our dear Papa, You are finally free. - Carrie Hamilton

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 28, 2002