At the age of 17, Don joined the Royal Canadian Navy Naval Air Service as an aircraft maintenance technician. He served on every ship that carried aircraft, which took him to ports around the world. He left CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia for Ottawa as a Chief Warrant Officer, took his commission as Captain and retired from the Canadian Armed Forces after 38 years.
Don loved to compete and performed well in track and field, football and boxing. His love of boxing led him to win the Command Championships in the bantamweight division. His dedication to the sport of boxing continued as he pursued coaching for the next 30 years in Nova Scotia and Ottawa.
In 1965, he met a young nurse named Theresa, fell in love and married her a year after their first dance at the Jubilee Boat Club in Halifax. They both had a passion for people and a love for God. They served together in the church community, ministering to people for over 35 years.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Theresa; sons, Trevor (Mylène), Kyle (Carole), Dwayne (Michelle), daughter, Susan (Ryan); and son, Guy (Jamie). Grandchildren; Mélodie, Sandrine, Alexie, Renée, Hannah, Mackenzie, Braden, Ava, Porter, Charlie, Dylan, and great grandchild Lyvia. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret (Jack) Carmichael, along with many cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Rocky (Beverly), John in childhood and an infant sister who died at birth.
Friends and family are invited to visit Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery & Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, on Saturday, September 14th from 12noon until time of a Memorial Service at 1PM, with Rev. Mrs. Karen Middleton presiding. Burial to follow in the National Military Cemetery of Beechwood. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Digital Guestbook
Len Burke
Ken Thompson & Sharon Young
To all your family Guy and to you Jaime we send our deepest condolences. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Joan and Dan Murphy
Theresa, Susan and family,
Although too far away to be present in person today, Dan and I are thinking of you all and are remembering Don with such fondness. He always had a smile, a kind word, a positive perspective and a gentle approach to every situation. We can only imagine how much you feel the loss of his daily presence in your life, but hopefully it brings some small measure of comfort in knowing he made such a difference in the lives of many, many people and will always be remembered with love. Our hearts go out to you all as you celebrate his life. May the Lord comfort and keep you all in His care and today always.
With affection,
Joan and Dan Murphy
Miss Lori Boucher
I am so sorry for your great loss. I pray all of you find comfort in his great memories. Until we see him again...
Myrna Brown
Please accept my deepest condolences. My husband Ken Brown just passed away and he and Donnie worked together in Ottawa, he mentioned him a lot and had a great deal of respect for him
Geoff and Karen Middleton
Our deepest condolences to Theresa and the MacDougall family. We will forever miss Don. May you find comfort knowing you will see him again in glory.
I first met Donnie at CFB shearwater in 1971. Since that time forward, he was an inspiration for how I conducted my life both as an airman and as a person. Donnie was a dedicated professional as a member of the Canadian Forces. He embodied the true nature of what sacrifices were required to serve your country. As a person everyone who knew Donnie was in awe of his compassion, loyalty and his commitment to serving his fellow man. My sincerest condolences to Theresa and the rest of the MacDougall clan. He will be missed but never forgotten.