Donald Allan «Don» Mitchell
1926-2019
Donald Allan Mitchell – 92, Truro, passed
away peacefully on Friday evening, June 21, 2019, at Colchester East
Hants Health Centre, Truro. Born in Truro, he was a son of the late
Herbert Allan and Hazel (Higgins) Mitchell. Along with his parents,
Don was predeceased by his wife, Joyce (Bainbridge) Mitchell; brother,
Lloyd; sister, Ruth.
He was a graduate of Colchester County Academy,
Nova Scotia Agricultural College, McGill University, Mount Allison
University and University of Alberta; he did post-graduate study at
Mount Saint Vincent University. Don served with Town of Truro and
Colchester East Hants Amalgamated School Boards for many years,
retiring as a System Supervisor in 1986. He was a former high school
teacher in Middle Musquodoboit, Onslow, Truro Academy and elementary
school principal in Truro at Willow Street School, Victoria Street
School and Princess Margaret Rose School. Don was a former Air Cadet
instructor, a land surveyor throughout Nova Scotia with MMRA, and was
associated with the Atlantic Provinces Examining Board for many years.
At the time of his death he was a member of Nova Scotia Retired
Teachers Association.
He was a noted athlete in his younger years, playing hockey,
basketball and rugby, and later captaining his university hockey team.
He also acted as a hockey coach and referee. He was a past President
of Truro Kiwanis Club, Truro Curling Club and Truro and District
Hockey League. He served on Nova Scotia Teachers Union Provincial
Executive and First United Church Board of Stewards. He and his wife,
Joyce, volunteered with the local Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, Canadian
Red Cross and MS Society. He and Joyce wintered in Florida upon
retirement and travelled throughout Great Britain and France. Summers
were spent at the cottage at Brule Point where he could be found
«puttering», which was chiefly mowing the lawn or replacing
the stairs to the beach, which he loved doing, even though he
complained. Don was an avid reader, especially WWII espionage novels,
baseball fan and card player. He was a member of Truro Duplicate
Bridge Club, Senior Games Executive and a long-time member of Sunrise
Golf Club at Brule Point.
Don is survived by his daughter, Donna (Rick) Parker,
Wentworth; son, David (Tracey Slack), Truro. He is remembered as
Papa/Poppa to his grandsons, Jesse (Brooke Risdon) Parker, Strathmore,
Alberta; Daniel (Keely MacNeill) Parker, Fall River; Stephen (Karyn
Galloway) Parker, Calgary, Alberta; Sean (Heather Fanning) Mitchell,
Calgary, Alberta; Patrick Mitchell (Kathleen Allen), Halifax; Ryan
Mitchell, Truro; great grandchildren, Nolan, Meleah and Rhett Parker,
Strathmore, Alberta; Emily and Blake Parker, Fall River; Finley
Parker, Calgary. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Anne
(Audas) Mitchell, Truro; nieces Janet (Ken) Colwell, West Hartford,
Connecticut; Susan (Steve) Smith, Halifax; Lorie Mitchell (Tom
Sneddon), Halifax; Ruth Mitchell, Truro.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the
staff at Truro Branch of Colchester East Hants Public Library, who for
many years have met his requests for books, and to the nurses and
doctors of the ICU and Medical Unit (2nd and
3rd floor) at Colchester East Hants Health
Centre.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall –
Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where the funeral service
will be held 2 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2019, Reverend Carolyn Wilson
Wynne officiating. Reception will follow. Interment in Watson
Cemetery, 1997 Prince Street, Truro. If so desired, donations in
Don’s memory to Colchester-East Hants Public Library
Foundation (www.lovemylibrary.info)
or charity of your choice are welcomed. Private messages of condolence
may be sent to the family by viewing Don’s obituary on-line
and selecting «Send A Condolence» at:
www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Donald Allan Don Mitchell 19262019..
Décès pour la Ville: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia