Donald Edward Welton
1933-2020
“And think of
him as living in the hearts of those he touched …
for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so
much.”
– Author Unknown
Our hearts are hurting
but feel comfort in knowing that our father, Donald Welton, has joined
our mom, only a few short months after losing her. On the evening of
Tuesday, December 22, 2020 our beloved father died peacefully at home
surrounded by so much love and after waiting for his trucking
grandson, Michael to make it there safely to say goodbye. Donald
Edward Welton was born on August 8, 1933 in Forest Home, Nova Scotia
where he spent his early years. He was a son of the late Alan and
Gladys (Butler) Welton. He left school as a teen because “he
got a job working for Harry Aalders so didn’t need to go to
school any longer” he said. His limited schooling did not
prevent him from being one of the smartest men we knew. He was a
“jack of all trades” and loved tinkering and fixing
things. “If Papa can’t fix it then it
can’t be fixed”. He truly was a very patient man in
so many ways. When many would have quit the task at hand, he would
only try harder and spend more time at it until it was completed or
fixed. Nothing got thrown out because “you just might need
that part to fix something else.” As a teen he fell in love
with a young singing sister from South Alton…our mom,
Marjorie DeAdder. They married on November 25, 1953 at the ages of 18
and 20. Their love and respect for each other continuously grew each
of the 67 years they spent married and was visible to anyone that knew
them. They were a couple that were usually together and looked after
each other. Dad’s heart was broken when she died a few
months ago. We take comfort in the fact they are together again, and
that dad didn’t have to go through a Christmas without her.
Together they enjoyed many activities such as the Alton Couples Club;
seniors league bowling, Centreville 50+ Club, and South Shore
bluegrass campouts to name a few, and even worked for many years
together as Centreville church janitors where Dad also spent many
hours helping with the construction and renovations. Dad was also a
member of the Centreville Men’s Choir for many years and in
his younger years was proud to be a Kings County Counsellor. He was a
faithful member of the Centreville Baptist Church where he had been a
Deacon and as well as at the South Alton Baptist Church. Mom and Dad
loved to walk to church together and to be the
“greeters” at the door on Sunday mornings. They
loved camping. We have so many wonderful memories of family vacations
with the Aalders family and even after we had grown, Mom and Dad
continued to enjoy many weekends of camping alone or with Uncle Bub
and Aunt Loretta, especially at Whites or at New Canada until this
past summer. He loved a good community breakfast or fundraising supper
whether by helping out the preparation, on clean up duty or just by
having a good meal. Besides the job Dad “left school
for”, in his younger years he worked a few different places
such as driving a taxi, working at Boggs Brothers (he and Mom both
worked there) and the Port Williams Agencies. He began trucking for TP
Calkin’s Ltd. (Sumner’s Ltd.) in 1961 until
retiring in 1994 at age 61. We (as well as a few cousins) have so many
fun memories and stories about going to work with Dad in the truck.
After retirement for the first time, he got to drive a tractor trailer
truck part time for Chris, which he loved, and Mom went on many runs
with him. He had a great love of trucking that was inherited by his
sons and grandson and loved to “continue trucking”
listening to their stories. It wasn’t until after
retirement that he found he had a couple new passions he had never
tried: golfing and curling. He was a member of Eagle Crest Golf Course
and enjoyed countless hours there, often starting as early as 6:00
a.m. to get on the course so to not have a wait. He’d walk
the 18 holes every day until just a couple years ago. He enjoyed the
senior’s tournaments he and Laurie Hennigar attended and
then for the past couple years, enjoyed many mornings golfing with
friends, Vern, Wayne and Doug. Sometimes golfing overlapped with
curling season at the Glooscap Curling rink pending the seasonal
weather which he loved! His days were full, and Mom worked hard to
keep his schedule straight and to make sure a meal awaited him at noon
and 5:00 p.m. He was a “bit” spoiled like
that. Although a gentle and quiet man, Dad had a tremendous
amount of strength and energy well into his senior years. He loved to
be social, to go walking (especially important when there
wasn’t golf or curling that day!) and loved nothing more
than a good meal. When asked recently what he considered a
“good” meal he quickly answered, “One where
someone calls out supper’s ready!” He did odd jobs
for Ted around the complex where he and Mom lived, as well as for many
neighbours. Even though he was getting much weaker, one week before he
died, he insisted on going outside to properly straighten the compost
bins after the garbage truck came because it was what he always did!
He maintained his work ethic and pride until his last days. For many
years he worked tirelessly many hours on “the
kettle” collecting money for the Salvation Army. He was
always willing to help people out any way he could, not to mention
what he did for his children and grandchildren. There isn’t
enough room in this obituary to describe how selfless he was when it
came to family. One of Dad’s favorite things to do
was his daily visits at the “lodge” to have coffee
with his friends, Gordie, Arnie, Bob, Finley and Reg to name a few. It
especially became more important in the recent months since
Mom’s death. He enjoyed the twice daily coffee breaks,
conversations, sometimes treats and the friendships he had there. Our
family will always be grateful to this place and the comradery he had
with them. Dad had an excellent sense of humor and always
loved a good laugh even in his final days. He will always be
remembered by many of his expressions, one of the best being
“Dirty, dying whistling” if something surprised him.
He loved a good card game whether at home with family or friends
(especially Reg and Ellen Saunders), at the 50+ Club or in Woodville
on Wednesday evenings, doing Lexicon puzzles, visiting car lots,
puttering in his garage fixing things and watching The Price Is Right,
Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and yes…The Young and the
Restless. He is proudly survived by sons, Donald
“Bruce” (Kathy) and Chris (Tabatha) and daughter,
Janet. “Papa Don” was adored by grandchildren, Leah,
Michael, Olivia, Mahaila, Kiara and Mataea and great grandchildren,
Casey, Ian and Everleigh. He is also survived by brother, Albert
(Shirley), Wirral, NB and only sister, Shirley Russell, Kentville and
many in-laws, nieces and nephews who loved dad dearly and have
special, personal memories of him. He will be sorely missed by us
all. Besides his parents and our dear mom, he was predeceased
by brothers, Tommy and George; several brothers and sisters-in-law who
were like siblings to him. Our family would like to thank Dr.
David Nunn, Janice and their office for the many years of taking care
of Dad and Mom. They both loved and appreciated you. We would also
like to thank Dr.’s R. Rendon (Urology) and P. Poyah
(Nephrology) for keeping Dad’s kidney functioning as well as
possible these past 20 years and to his Ambulatory Care
“girls” at Soldiers Memorial, especially Helen and
Colleen. Special thanks to each member of the Annapolis Valley
Palliative Care team for their valued expertise and support during
this time. Also, we would like to thank the Annapolis Valley VON
(especially Sarah C, Sarah K and Elke), as well as many folks who have
supported Dad since mom’s illness and passing and during his
own illness. Our sincere gratitude to White Family Funeral Home for
the professional support given to our family this year during such
challenging times. It takes a village! Cremation has taken
place. Due to COVID-19, there will be no visitation and a private
family service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 in the White
Family Funeral Home, Kentville, Reverend Doctor Steven Hopper
officiating. Interment will be held at a later date. A video webcast
can be viewed at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021 by visiting
www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com. Donations are gratefully accepted to
the Centreville Baptist Church, the Carey Me Fund (c/o Valley Regional
Foundation) supporting palliative care at home or the Valley Hospice
Foundation. 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.
“Go home, get
some rest trucker…we’ll take it from
here.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Edward Welton 19332020..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia