1935 ~ 2014
We are heartbroken to announce that Donnie passed away on March 23 at the Beausejour Hospital after a brief, but valiant struggle, with mesothelioma.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Tanis, his three children Kim and husband Tim, Dean and wife Heather, and Lee and husband Gardiner. He will be sorely missed by his six grandchildren of whom he was so proud: Carrie (Josh), Katelyn (Jerad), Tanner (Kaitlyn), Reed (Jodi), Taylor (Kelsey), and Maddy. In February he was thrilled to welcome a great granddaughter, Kilyn Anne (Carrie and Josh). He is survived by his brother Bryan and wife Diane, brothers in-law Michael and wife Jenefer, Lanny and wife Barb, and sister in-law Penny and husband Graham, and their families.
Donnie was born in Bissett in 1935, but grew up and attended school in Pine Falls. He attended the University of Alberta and graduated from North Dakota State University. He was a true sports enthusiast, loving all sports, coaching many and participating in most. He played hockey (Selkirk Steelers, U. of A. Golden Bears, and Pine Falls Paper Kings). He hunted, canoed, and snowmobiled, but he especially loved playing ball and curling, reaching the national level of competition in both. He was looking forward to being inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame with his dad and his teammates from the 1967 and 1970 Canadians. He truly enjoyed fishing with Dean and the grandchildren. He worked as an electrician in the Abitibi Paper Mill in Pine Falls, but found his true calling as a phys. ed. teacher in Whitemouth where he taught for 24 years. For several years he was active in the Eastman Sport Development Association serving as chairman, and he was part of the Mission Staff at the Canada Games. He was an active member of the Whitemouth and District Lions for 30 years. He loved to laugh, tell stories, and enjoy the company of his friends. We will miss him terribly, but will cherish many wonderful memories.
There will be a celebration of his life on Friday, March 28 in the Whitemouth Community Hall from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Donnie’s name to Kids Sport Manitoba, Eastman Region, Box 50, #20 – First Street, Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0.
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways.
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
Author unknown
Offer Condolence for the family of William Donald McDonald
Print This Obituary & Condolences
Chikako KITAKAZE
We are all deeply shocked to hear of the sudden death of Mr. McDonald and we would like to offer our deepest sympathy.
Dorothy Altstadt
My sincerest sympathy to the McDonald family. Donnie was one of the best teachers I knew. It was an honor to work with him. His dedication to sport was very evident in his interactions with the students. He will be missed.
Jim & Linda York
Tanis -I am so sorry for your loss -Donny was one of the best ones.He made my teaching career I Whitemouth richer. He was the guy I could not see for years then be greeted with a smile and a hug. He is not only a loss to you and your family but his passing leaves a big hole in the Whitemouth community. Wish we closer -will get in touch when we return from Texas in April. Hang in there, Tanis.
Margit MacCharles (nee Kunz)
Mrs. McDonald & Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Mr. McDonald’s passing. Mr. McDonald was the best phys. ed. Teacher I ever had and yes it was definitely his “true calling”. As our Coach he encouraged us, supported us and he was also our friend. He was a true mentor and led by example. He was everything a phys. ed. Teacher and Coach should be and more.
When I became involved with school phys. ed. and sports through our Sons I quickly realized that the qualities Mr. McDonald had were rare. I found that not everyone had that dedication, commitment or cared as much.
Mr. McDonald was a kind and gentle man. He touched so many lives and I feel very privileged that he touched mine. I can still hear his voice – he always called me “Maggie”.
My heartfelt sympathy to each and every one of you. I know this is a very sad time for all of you. You have lost a very special person in your lives. Cherish and treasure your memories.
Love,
Margit (a.k.a. Maggie)
Judy Rohrig
My deepest sympathy to Tanis, Kim, Dean,Lee & families. Mr.McDonald was a great phys.ed teacher, coach, friend and mentor. He taught with a sense of fairness, humour, humbleness if you won, grace if you lost. Even though sometimes we drove him crazy, we would have never wished for a better coach/teacher/friend. We will never forget him.
Love Judy
(a.k.a. “hey Rohrig”)
Margaret Brinchesk (Johnston) student of Don's
Death is nothing at all.
I have only slipped away to the next room.
I am I and you are you.
Whatever we were to each other,
That, we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name.
Speak to me in the easy way
which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed
at the little jokes we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word
that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effect.
Without the trace of a shadow on it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same that it ever was.
There is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of mind
because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you.
For an interval.
Somewhere. Very near.
Just around the corner.
All is well.
Hope this poem will bring you comfort on
the loss of your husband, father and grandfather…
Maggie and Family
shaun and cheri mutch
We are so sorry to hear that Donnie pasted away, The two of you are such an inspiration to us, Donnie will be missed greatly, and will remain a blessing in our hearts!!
Charlene Hood-Ashton
I was so shocked and saddened to read about Don’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. He will be missed by all that knew him.
Alison Kuz
Mrs. McDonald and family,
My deepest sympathy for your surprising and sad news. Mr. McDonald was a great teacher/mentor/supporter in the classroom and on various sports fields. He will be greatly missed.
Ken Malkoske
Hi Mrs. McDonald and family! My thoughts are with you!
I am very thankful and will always cherish what Mr.McDonald helped give me…The love of sport and especially baseball! As one of my first gym teachers in school he shared his passion with me and it had an everlasting effect! As a family friend I will never forget the nights spent at your house watching MLB playoffs!
Thank you ever so much! All my love!
Ken
Lars Feilberg
Mr. McDonald: a classic. He has had a positive influence on so many lives, mine included. I will never forget his high expectations and words of encouragement. He made me want to push myself. Also a fantastic community member. He always had a smile and a story. He will be missed.
Deanna Zaretski (nee Petersen)
RIP Mr. McDonald. You touched many, many lives and instilled the love of sport in most. You are a true legacy.
My heart-felt condolences to Mrs. McDonald, Kim, Dean, Lee and their respective families.
Brian Barkman
Just wanted to say that Mr McDonald had a very significant influence in my developing years and all the lessons were such good life lessons. I pray that God will extend a special measure of grace for all of you during this difficult time.
Ralph Newbury
Tanis an the kids
I have fond thoughts of Donnie an Uncle Don on the farm an the stories an the fun we had ,,my thoughts are with you at this time ,,Donnie will be missed by all.
Kelly Fedoryshyn (Daly)
RIP Mr. McDonald you were the best gym teacher. You will be sadly missed by everyone who knew you.
Shane Spice
Mrs. McDonald,
My sincere condolences on your loss. I was only a student at Whitemouth HS for a couple years but I think often, and fondly, about all that you and Mr. McDonald taught me. You were more than just teachers and I don’t know whether I can ever thank you enough for that?
Mr. McDonald helped me to see every aspect of sport, above and beyond the physical. He taught me about sportsmanship, dedication, persistence, the value of hard work, and a plethora of other lessons that I can see him passionately teaching when I close my eyes!
I will do my best to teach the next generation those lessons, in his memory. It makes me smile to think that he’ll be there watching over me when I do that, with a whistle at the ready to push me just a little bit harder, in order to make sure the kids get the most out of the lesson.
All the best to you and your family.
Shane
Jodi Slobodesky (Lycar)
My heartfelt condolences go out to you Mrs.McDonald and your family. He was an awesome phys ed teacher, always encouraging and compassionate. He will be missed
Karen Lycar
Our condolences to Tanis and family. Don was truly one of the great ones. Both of my children had him as a teacher and held him in high regard.
Norman Krysko
Deepest sympathy to the McDonald family, we were shocked to hear of his passing.
I met Don through curling against and with Dean. He was a great guy to talk to and always took a genuine interest in others. It was a honor to compete with and against him, he was a true competitor and class all the way.
Take care.
Norm
Wade Wasmuth
My most sincere condolences to the whole family, especially Mrs McDonald. Mr. McDonald was a true sports enthusiast knowing a lot about most sports. He taught how to excel and push yourself to your goals. He will be missed. Thoughts are with you!
Dorothy Torbiak (nee Seebach)
To Tanis and family,
My thoughts are with you at this sad time.
My family sends their deepest sympathy for your loss.
Dorothy Torbiak (nee Seebach)
Jerry G.Sienema
Dear Mrs McDonald(Tanis) Kim&fam,Dean/Heather&fam Lee&fam I cannot find the right words to express my sorrow for you all. “Coach” was much more than a Physed instructor to so many of us. He taught love and life to every student he ever had. In a small town you are raised by every set of Parents, of you’re friends. Although life may take you in different directions, never do you forget the lessons taught by those you respect admire and love. I believe I speak for many when I say we would not be who we are had it not been for Both Don and Tanis McDonald. For myself I must say I loved the man and what he stood for. He will always hold a very special place in my thoughts and who I believe I have become. My prayers are with you all
Tricia McGraw
Deepest sympathies to all of you.
Charlene McLeod
To Lee & Family,
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Teri Pearn (Schultz)
Mrs. McDonald and family
My deepest sympathies on your loss. I will always remember Mr.McDonald as a wonderful teacher, coach and community member. He always had the most contagious smile on his face and was extremely supportive. As a teacher myself I look back on my own education and feel truly blessed to have had some amazing, dedicated and compassionate teachers, Mr. McDonald being one of them. The students of Whitemouth School were so lucky to have benefitted from Mr. McDonalds talent and his willingness to coach extra curricular sports. He will always be remembered.
Marilyn Joyal
Mrs. McDonald and family,
I was sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. McDonald leaves a great legacy as not only a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather but of a teacher, leader, inspiration, friend, teammate and so much more. He taught his students lessons of fair play, endurance, and the spirit of team camaraderie. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ginny Kershaw
Thinking of you and your family, Lee. So sorry for your loss.