Born in Toronto, Don attended Ogden Public School and Jarvis Collegiate where he met the love of his life, Nancy. Taking over the family business, Central Ornamental Glass, after the early deaths of Don’s parents, he proudly provided signs for the new Toronto Subway and ballroom signs for the Royal York Hotel.
But Don had a bigger passion to serve his community and he joined the OPP in Toronto where he was a member of the Golden Helmet Motorcycle Squad. With strong family roots in Bruce County, Don soon transferred to the Kincardine OPP and moved to a farm near Ripley where he was a cow/calf hobby farmer for over 20 years and a minor hockey coach. He embraced his love of music, playing the bagpipes and becoming the Pipe Sergeant in the OPP Commissioner's Own Pipes and Drums band travelling North America and piping for Ontario Premiers and dignitaries.
After 28 years of policing, Don retired and focused on music where he played saxophone in the Light House Swing Band, Kincardine United Church Band, the Foghorns, Goderich Town Band and a Dixieland band. Don was also a dedicated member of the Northern Light Masonic Lodge.
Cremation has occurred and a private service will be held for Don where his love of farming, music and most of all family, will be celebrated.