Donald Ernest Rastall
It is with deep sorrow that the Rastall family announces the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, neighbour, friend and employer, Don Rastall. Born in 1937, in Huntsville Ont, to parents Earnest and Marion Rastall (both predeceased). Survived by his sister Jill Goldthorp of Huntsville and predeceased by his brother Jack, and sister Joan. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Jackie Rastall and his two children Charles Rastall and Mari-Helen (Tom Primeau), grandchildren Lindsay (Tyler Barnes) and Mari Primeau, his great grand children, Grace and Major and his brother-in -law, Bob Helpert. Missed by his wonderful nieces and nephews and his second family at Rastall Mine Supply Limited who Don always referred to as his co-workers and forever family. Sorely missed by his wife and best friend, Jackie (Helpert) who married 60 years. Jackie and Don were great companions doing everything together and supported each other in their interests and aspirations. Don, always praised Jackie for her organizational skills, her determination, and her generous nature towards others.
Jackie and Don met in 1959 when he came to Sudbury working for Bell Telephone and selling the yellow pages and after a short engagement married in 1960. Don then went to work for his father-in-law, Charlie Helpert as a salesman and had an extremely close and loving relationship with both his in-laws especially his Mother-in-law, Helen Helpert. Years later Don had an idea and opened his business after inventing and patented his Rastall RS-12 Adjustable Wrench. Don and Jackie could be found many nights wrapping these wrenches in newspaper In their garage and sending them out to various mines Inco and Falconbridge in the early ‘70’s with the hopes of his design catching on and improving on the safety for miner’s and 47 years later this idea has flourished and is sold all over North America and overseas. Don always attributes his success in business to the people he works with for their expertise and professionalism and knowledge and his business was his pride and joy he loved it everyday. Don loved and was thankful every single day for his loyal customers. His mantra was service, service, service and he was adamant that all customers small or large are to be treated with the same quality and respect straight across the board with no exceptions. As Don’s children became adults, they joined Don in his business and his son, Charles helped to develop many of his faithful customers that have been nothing short of loyal for many many years. His daughter also took and administrative position and his son-in-law, Tom was named President almost 20 years ago. With Don’s active involvement in his company he has taught his family well, and groomed them so now they can carry on his legacy in business for many years to come which was Don’s end goal and dream. We hope to make you proud, dad.
Don, loved to prospect in his early years, he enjoyed hunting (cooking for his fellow hunters), travel, food, shopping non-stop for his grandchildren and sheepishly bringing copious amounts of groceries to Charles and Mari-Helen on a more than regular basis citing he had a credit at the grocery store.
Everyone who had met Don can say with confidence that he had many wonderful qualities. A consummate salesperson, a wealth of knowledge, a brilliant mind, a more than generous nature, a contagious laugh, a sense of humour, a mentor to many young people starting out in their own careers, and the most important of all was his absolute willingness to give everyone and anyone one his time. He loved to invest himself in others and enjoyed the stories he would be told, the confidence he could instill in others when they needed that confidence boost and the forever following up and making sure everyone was okay. Don never treated people differently because of stature or title. He was as invested and energized from being in the company of successful well know entrepreneurs as he was with the young kid stacking shelves at the grocery store. The Rastall family would especially like to acknowledge the health care providers that helped Don with his lengthy battle. Thank you to Dr. Tom Crichton (family physician), Doctor Gopalakrishan (oncologist) Dr. Bowen (radiologist) and the primary nurses at NEORCC and to Don’s niece, Marney Koritko (NEROCC). Thank you to Dr. Boro Janicijevic (dentist), Dr. Chisholm (Optomoetrist) for your house visits and friendship. To all the wonderful neighbours especially Dr. Joe Nebre and Maureen O’Hare- Nebre, Uncle Thom Primeau for helping at a moments notice. Thank you to the wonderful, loving, compassionate nurses, and all staff at the Maison McCulloch Hospice you are a gift to our community and will live forever in our hearts. Last but not least special thanks to Fran Lafleur Paul (predeceased Nov. 2020), Lloyd Grigsby and Willie Dubois for the years of caring for Jackie and Don in their home. At the family’s request, there will be no funeral visitation or service. Cremation with entombment at the Civic Cemetery Mausoleum. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Maison McCulloch Hospice, Sudbury Infant Food Bank or NEORCC would be appreciated. For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheed.org
Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Home.
Read Less
Saturday December 5th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Donald Ernest Rastall Saturday December 5th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Sudbury, Province: Ontario