Donald Alphonsus “Donnie” Chisholm
1937-2020
It is with broken hearts that we announce
Donald Alphonsus “Donnie” Chisholm of Cambridge, Kings
County, NS passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving
family at the age of 83 on November 6, 2020 after fighting a
horrendous battle with cancer like a true Scotsman.
FEROS
FERIO (I AM FIERCE WITH THE
FIERCE)
He was born at home in Kentville, NS to the
late John James “JJ” and Leah (Veinott) Chisholm on February
25, 1937. He is survived by the love of his life and soul mate Donna
(Ward) Chisholm of 57 years; daughters, Jacqueline, Carrie (Shawn),
Diana (Jozina); sons, Donald (Sheri) and Dennis (Bethany);
grandchildren, Jeffery, Jacob, Severyn, Finn, Meika, and Remi; step
granddaughters, Madeline and Victoria; great grand daughter, Lily;
sister, Josephine Forbes; sister-in-law, Carol Chisholm; and many
special nieces and nephews who he loved very much. He was predeceased
by his beloved daughter, Dana Marie Chisholm-Urquhart; four brothers,
Archibald “Archie” (Thora), John “Bun” (Barb),
William “Bill” (Pat) and George; brother-in-law, William
Forbes.
Donnie was a member of the St.
Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Kentville and served as an
altar boy along with his life-long friend the late Father David
Stokes. They enjoyed many activities together including Boy Scouts in
which they accomplished the highest achievable award “A Queen
Scout”. They also learned to play the bagpipes which started the
beginning of Donnie’s piping journey. The personal joke
between them was David took the “High Road” and Donnie took
the “Low Road”.
In 1952 after three months of learning to play
the pipes he joined the Air Cadet Pipe band. During the four years
with the band they played many local events including the Natal Day
Parades and Air Force functions around the Maritimes. The most
memorable being the official opening of the Canso Causeway in 1955 in
which he was one of the 100 pipers that lead the parade. In 1956 he
joined the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Black Watch (RHR) and
for 3 years played in many Tattoos over North America and Bermuda and
appeared on two post cards distributed by the Black Watch.
The band also participated in many Highland Games throughout the
Maritime region including the Apple Blossom Parades in Kentville. In
1959 he became employed by CP Railway as a Station Agent until the
closure of the Waterville Train Station, he was transferred to the CPR
Signal Department as a Signal Maintainer until the railway closed in
1985 at which time he became self employed growing tobacco, grapes and
operating a gravel pit.
He returned to the Air Cadet Pipe Band until
the end of the 1970’s when it disbanded. Some of the former
members formed a new pipe band and he was voted in as the first Pipe
Major. They became the Kentville Fire Department Pipe Band. By 1973
the band became too large for the Fire Hall and a move was made to the
Royal Canadian Legion Ortona Branch #69 in Berwick. The pipe band was
later renamed the Kingscots Pipe Band. He remained Pipe Major until
1983. During his time with the pipe band they received numerous first
place awards across the province. They played for the Queen of England
in Kentville NS during her visit in 1976.
In 1976 he was the chief instructor for the
Nova Scotia Highlanders summer camp at Camp Aldershot and taught
anyone who was interested in learning the art of playing the bagpipes.
In the year 2000 he was included in the Pipers of Nova Scotia
Biographical Sketches 1773 to 2000 book compiled by Scott
Williams.
Along with many wonderful traits being a
dreamer was one of them. This trait led to many accomplishments in his
life including building two family homes, three barns, a 75 ft
greenhouse, and a family cottage at Sherbrooke Lake that holds many
cherished memories. He created machinery for his gravel pit including
a screener that produced Class A gravel, and a front-end
loader. He also started the successful Cambridge Jam at the
Cambridge Community Centre in October 2012; after five years he gave
up the jam and went back to his roots of piping and became the
official piper of the New Ross Canadian Legion #79 and piped at all
their functions including their Remembrance Day Services. He
was a long-time hockey player and enjoyed archery at the Annapolis
Valley Shooting Sports Club. He also shared the love of sailing with
his wife, family and friends and often sailed in Mahone Bay. Of all he
accomplished in his life there was nothing more precious to him than
his family and he fought hard every day to stay with us as long as he
could. He was loved very much and will be missed every day holding a
special place in all our hearts.
“Ochhhh
Laddie”
Cremation has taken place. There will be no
visitation. Private family prayers will be held in the White Family
Funeral Home, Kentville. A webcasting of the prayer service will be
available at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2020 by visiting www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
A private family funeral Mass will be held in St. Joseph’s
Roman Catholic Church, Kentville. A public graveside service will be
held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2020 in the Holy Cross
Cemetery, Kentville, Father John MacPherson officiating. Please bring
a chair if you wish to be seated during the graveside
service.
Donations in memory may be made to the Holy
Cross Cemetery, Kentville. Funeral
arrangements have been entrusted to the
White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. On-line
condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Alphonsus Donnie Chisholm 19372020..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia