OLIVER: Donald Richard – Don passed away peacefully on Saturday May 29, 2021, at the age of 88. Predeceased by his best friend and loving wife Mary Oliver. Father of Don Jr. (Joanne née Mark), Jean (Dan Kish), and Susan (Greg Hodgins). Grandfather of Ryan (Whitney), Nolan, Hillary (Tyler), Ashley (Andrew Petersen), Brandon (Amy), Colin (Caitlin), and David (Brittany). Great grandfather of Tesslynn and Brayden Oliver and Elliott and “expected” baby Petersen. Predeceased by his parents Hesse and Roy Oliver and siblings Fred, Betty, and Charlotte. Survived by his sister Margaret Parkes and brother Roger Oliver (Eve). Don was born and raised in Toronto and loved playing sports. In his younger years he paddled, and played football, hockey, and rugby. He excelled in track and field and won several national canoeing championships with the Balmy Beach club. As fate would have it, he met the love of his life Mary Jean Burr at a dance at the Balmy Beach Club. They married in 1954 and spent 65 wonderful years together raising their family, enjoying their grandchildren, and making many wonderful friends. Don was a larger-than-life character with a great sense of humour and a zest for life. He started his career as a newspaper pressman and served as the president of the GCIU Local 1 from 1980 to 1994. He passed his love of sports to his children and grandchildren and shared it with his community coaching many minor hockey teams, starting a youth lacrosse league in Beaverton and serving as president of the Beaverton Curling Club. He enjoyed nature walks, boating, golfing, garage sales, bird watching and was always up for a game of penny poker. As a consummate handyman he was always building or fixing something. His garages were filled to the rafters with tools and materials that he happily shared with family, friends, and neighbours. There was nothing he loved more than ‘MacGyvering’ projects with his grandchildren, including hoisting couches into tree forts, welding skateboard rails and building go-carts and wagons out of old lawnmower parts. He was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Don was kind and generous and was a wonderful caregiver to Mary during her final years. He was incredibly grateful for all the loving care he received from Jean and Dan over the past year and for their unwavering care and support of both him and Mary throughout her struggle with dementia. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society or the charity of your choice. Online condolences are welcome at www.manganfuneralhome.com
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Saturday May 29th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Donald Richard Oliver Saturday May 29th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:BEAVERTON, Province: Ontario