Obituary for
Donald Earl Pyke
It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Earl Pyke, announce his passing on May 31, 2020. Don passed away peacefully at home with family at his side.
Don was born in Valley Station, Col. Co., on September 14, 1924 and would be celebrating his 96th birthday this year. He was the eldest child of the late Samuel Earl and Jesse Creelman (McCabe) Pyke.
As a young man, Don worked for the Canadian National Railroad as a lineman, laying the tracks across Canada. He later was a Milkman, a mink fur rancher and worked for the Dept. of Transportation, where he retired as a foreman in 1989.
Dad was gruff, strong, hardworking and stubborn man, but he had a heart of gold and loved everyone and everyone loved him. He had to shake the hand of everyone he met and give a big hug to all the ladies. He loved life and loved all things in it, his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to build things by hand and proudly tended his enormous garden he planted every year. He truly had a knack for gardening and could grow anything everywhere.
He loved to travel and see new places and he would sit for hours mapping out the route he and mom would take on their next adventure. They travelled to Newfoundland a couple of times, Cape Breton a lot, all over Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and even travelled across Canada going through the United States, camping every night and stopping everywhere to take pictures and see every point of interest they could.
Don is survived by his only sister, Verna (Ronald) Hoare; five children, Darrel Pyke (Susan), Fredericton, N.B., Doug Pyke, Valley, Randy Pyke (Angie), Salmon River, David Pyke, Valley and Sherry (Steve) Heron, Valley; grandchildren, Dougie Pyke (Jessica), Melinda Pyke, Lenny Pyke, Tylor Pyke (Blaza), Christina Pyke, Jadien Pyke, Jaren Thompson (Meghan), Matthew Pyke, Michael Custance (Tamara), Corey Toole (Tara), Katherine Toole (Kyle), Alex Tooke (Sarah) and TJ Toole; nine great grandchildren, Jorja, Jackson, Ivyanna, Avery, Chase, Hunter, Myla, Tucker and Jensen as well as many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Don is predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Norma (Hatt); daughter, Dianne Pyke; brother, George Pyke and sister in law, Lillian Pyke (MacCallum)
The family would like to send special thanks to the Palliative Care Team; Dr. Henderson, Lisa Weatherbee and Jennifer McGill for their kindness and empathy through all of our tough times and the name VON nurses and care providers who were wonderful, cheery and made our Dad smile even towards the end. Thank you all so much!
Cremation has taken place under the direction of the Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro. A private family service and interment will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.ColchesterCommunity.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Earl
Pyke 1924 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia