BARAN, Donald – Donald was born in Humboldt, Saskatchewan on October 19th 1940 to parents Peter and Dora Baran. He grew up alongside his two best friends and brothers – Omar and Harold. Don took pride in being the eldest brother and was affectionately known as “Big Bro” to those closest to him. Nothing in Don’s life mattered more to him than his family. He adored and admired his father Peter who was a hard working blacksmith. He wanted to be just like him – and learned what it meant to be honest and have integrity. He developed his passion for music from his loving mother Dora who would sing along with him to the radio tunes of the day. He also picked up on her ability to speak with people in a kind and loving way and also how to speak French. Growing up as a young boy in St. Brieux – he witnessed his parents helping everyone they encountered – this was to be his guiding mission in life.
Don left home at age 16 to work with the Royal Bank of Canada. His dream of continuing to work as a radio broadcaster in Prince Albert was cut short when his Grandfather Lefebvre told him that the radio industry was filled with cigar smoking, whiskey drinking philanderers – an environment not suitable for his young grandson. Reluctantly, Don agreed to interview with the Bank and began his career in Young. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him as he met the love of his life, Helena Schaan – the woman whom he would marry and spend the rest of his life with.
Don worked his way up in the Bank during the 60s and 70s and his young family moved around to different parts of the country. Along the way his sons were born: Brent in Yorkton, Duane in Melfort, Peter and Gerald in Montreal. The family also spent 7 memorable years in Winnipeg. Don’s natural talents and hard work culminated with his job as Personnel Manager – Head Office in Montreal. In his new position he convinced Senior Management of the need to help troubled employees and began to design programs to support them. His work led to the introduction of Access – their Employee Assistance Program. He was a pioneer in the field of EAPs and his expertise was sought throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. He spoke in many parts of the world – to large audiences, about EAPs and lifestyle choices. In the late 80s they moved to Ontario after Don had started his own consulting firm to further develop his ties to the Caribbean – especially Trinidad & Tobago – a place where he fell in love with its climate and its people. While in Markham, he provided consulting services to the Toronto Blue Jays for a number of years – including their championship seasons in the early 1990s. He remembered fondly the seasons he accompanied the team to Spring Training in Dunedin. Don and Helena made their final move to Guelph in 1995 as Don retired from his professional career.
Don was a gifted entertainer, performer and musician. As a young man he played accordion and sang. Later on, he found a banjo at a pawn shop and taught himself how to play. Nothing got him more revved up than an audience. He absolutely loved performing and playing music. He had a tremendous voice and sang frequently in Church and loved playing music with his family. He and Helena left a legacy of music in their sons and grandkids. The night before he died, he sang songs with his family for a number of hours – there was nothing better for his soul than music – others shared in the joy that he experienced.
Don loved the outdoors. He loved to fish and did so with people in his life that he loved dearly; his parents, Father Schaan, brothers, kids, grandkids and fishing buddies. He fished the Northern lakes of Manitoba and Saskatchewan with his parents and brothers. Along the St. Lawrence, Lac-St- Louis and down into Lake Champlain he took his kids out. In Ontario it was his grandkids’ turn. He spent lots of time with friends near the shores of Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay near Owen Sound. He also loved to fish and sail the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean.
Don was a friendly man who looked at the positive side of everyone he met. He would always greet people with a smile and a hand shake and wanted to get to know them. Don was very involved in fund raising and helping people in the Guelph community. He was on the Board of Homewood for a time period. He was a main stay at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Guelph. He helped set up and manage the New – St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. He was active in the Knights of Columbus. He helped organize breakfasts at the Parish. He helped distribute goods to the less fortunate. He was involved with home ministry and through visits brightened the lives of people who were ill or unable to get to church. Throughout his life he counseled and helped people. He touched many lives.
Don, age 81, passed away peacefully early in the morning of December 10, 2021 with one of his sons by his side. He spent the last 3 months of his life fighting leukemia. He came to know and love the staff at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener. Dr. McCarron and her entire team provided Don with incredible care and compassion. He was humbled when people treated him the way he always treated others.
Don leaves behind his wife Helena whom he just celebrated 60 years of marriage with, brothers Omar (Sharon), Harold (Carol) sons Brent (Evelyne), Duane (Connie), Peter, Gerald (Fiona), Janine, grandchildren Tyler (Ursula), Chantal (Dan), Nathalie, Jeremy & Serena. He will be missed by the extended Baran, Lefebvre, Schaan and Volk families and by all he had come to know in this world.
Don would have encouraged his friends and family to make donations in his memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society – Guelph, Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and if possible to please give blood to Canadian Blood Services. Online donations and condolences can be made at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Don Baran Friday December 10th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Guelph, Province: Ontario