DONALD ROSS WADDELL

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DONALD ROSS WADDELL It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather on January 14, 2003 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 86. Left to mourn his passing are his children, Janice Jevning, Roy Waddell (Linda), Pat OHara (Mike), Andrea Bryden (Randy) grandchildren, Lesley, Nicole, Lindsay, Adam, Sean, Craig, Ashley, Chelsey: great-grandchildren. He was predeceased in death by his beloved wife Vera; his parents Andrew and Violet Waddell; sister Winnifred Swantson; brothers Sheldon, Murray and Howard Waddell. Don was raised on a farm near Sperling, MB. He was very active in sports, especially hockey and baseball. He had great memories of the three years he spent playing semi-pro hockey in Wausau, Wisconsin. At the outbreak of war he returned to Canada, enlisted in the RCAF and trained at the Portage Air Observers School. Don married Vera Saul of Winnipeg on November 2, 1942 and they rode the troop train to Halifax on their honeymoon. Don was assigned to the R.A.F. 57 Squadron as a Lancaster Bomb Aimer. In April 1944, on his 30th mission he became the only survivor of a mid-air collision over Germany, where he remained a POW until war ended. On his return from overseas he and Vera farmed in Sperling for 14 years, moving to Emerson in 1964 where Don was employed as a Highway Traffic Inspector until retirement. Don coached hockey and baseball most of his adult life, both in Sperling and Emerson, proudly winning several provincial hockey championships. He also organized and coached ringette. Don was an active and enthusiastic member of the Legion, past president in Sperling and Emerson and past zone commander. He loved speaking about his war experiences, especially at the local school. Don enjoyed golfing, horseshoes, watching sports on TV, travelling, but his passion was gardening. Long hours were spent in his yard, planting, hoeing, watering, planning; great efforts were made to save his beloved elm trees. Several times he was honoured to be the winner of the Emerson Home Grounds competition. In recent years his zest for life took him up in the sky in a Lancaster Bomber, a hot air balloon and WW2 Harvard Trainer. He loved spending time with his family, visiting with friends and warm winters in Arizona. We will miss sharing his life with him: God Bless Dad. Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Grace Hospital ICU and Home Care in both Emerson and Winnipeg for the kind and gentle care they gave out father. We are grateful for their compassion and dedication. Funeral service will be held at the Emerson United Church on Saturday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Bob Stark officiating. Reception at the New Horizons immediately following the service. Interment in Sperling Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301-352 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3B 2H8. Doyles Funeral Chapel of Carman in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2003