Donald LaBelle passed away peacefully in Ottawa at Granite Ridge Care Community on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the age of 86. Predeceased by parents Ernest LaBelle and Kathleen White, and his brothers Jack, Ken and Gerry. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen (nee Murphy), and by his sons James (Kathy), Peter (Pam) and Andrew (Celine), six grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Shirley.
Don was born and raised in Ottawa and enlisted in the RCAF in 1951. He served at Air Force Headquarters, the Air Division in France and Sardinia and in Edmonton. He left the service in 1965 to become Director of Public Relations with the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses. In 1977 he returned to Ottawa as Director of Public Relations with the Canadian Automobile Association. In 1982 he was appointed Head of Communications with Canada Customs and Excise. In 1997 he was appointed Manager for Alberta with Western Economic Distribution. In 2001 he spent his last 14 months with the Public Service, as Deputy Director with the Canada Gun Control Program. Don was a founding member of the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) where he served three terms as Edmonton President. He was elected National President of CPRS in 1982 and Chief Examiner of the CPRS Accreditation Program in 1991. For his many contributions to CPRS over his 50 years as a member, he received several of the Society’s major awards and was appointed a Life Member in 2002.
Funeral Arrangements under the care and direction of Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Service (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa). A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. A special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff at Granite Ridge. For those who wish to make a donation in memory of Donald you may do so to your favourite charity or to the CPRS Foundation.
Livre de visiteurs
Shirley Edmonds
Andy LaBelle (Jr)
Rest In Peace - you accomplished so much in your years. So much to be proud of.
Richard LaBelle
Rest In Peace dear uncle Don
Adrian Pierce
Rest In Peace, Uncle Don. Some of my favourite and most memorable moments as a kid included the time you all stayed with us after moving back from out west. Oysters on the half shell; the introduction to our house of Caesars; what’s for dinner? Your answer: “pigs knuckles in gravy”. Nothing but great memories!
Anastasia Lim
Rest in peace, dear Don. You will be missed. My deepest condolences to the family.
Morin Family
Thinking of all the good times we shared in Edmonton, Don. We'll miss your stories and laughter.
Mary Ellen, our thoughts are with you.
Take good care, Kathy, Eric, Mathieu and Maria.
Kirk Fergusson
I consider myself blessed to have had Don as my first boss and mentor at Canada Customs. He was the consummate gentleman, a wonderful friend and a kind and generous human being, with an terrific (if not politically incorrect by today's standards) sense of humor. Don made a huge impact on my career and so many of the people that worked with us over the years. Mary Ellen and family, my sincere condolences on your loss - Don made the world a better place and I'm so grateful to have known him.
Prashant Shukle
Mary Ellen, Peter, Andy - I was deeply saddened to hear of Don's passing from our mutual friend and foreign colleague Kirk. I remember the fun we had working together at Customs And Excise and enjoying the occasional golf game together in our later years. Don was really one of the good guys. Rest in peace, Don.
Jim Saunderson
Don was one of the good guys. He contributed immensely to the esprite de corps at WD in Edmonton. Condolences to his family.
Laura McNabb
I was so fortunate to work with Don during his time at Western Economic Diversification. In addition to his PR mentorship, he taught us the importance of teamwork, ,commitment and professional community. I remember with great fondness and a smile how he used to pound on the wall of his office--which as right next to mine--and holler out my last name when he wanted me to come talk to him. He was gruff sometimes but that bluster hid a heart of gold, and I have nothing but happy memories and gratitude when I think of him. My condolences to Mary Ellen, Don's sister, and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Don was a force to be reckoned with!
Rest in peace my dear Brother.