It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, Don Jeffrey, on November 28 at the age of 84 years.

 

Dad is survived, and will be dearly missed, by his daughters Debra (Dan) and Janet (Jeff); grandchildren Jordan, Kelsi, Matthew and Nicholas; siblings Marie (George), Art (Faye) and Gary (Shirley) and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents Mel and Rose and siblings Arnie, Joe, Gladys and Al.

 

Dad was born on a farm near Minitonas, MB in 1932 and eventually moved into town with those of the family still at home.  When he was 16, he taught school for a year, teaching all of the grades in the school.   In order to return the next year, he was asked to take a year of training, but he was not interested at that young age in more school.

 

Dad went to Grandview, instead, to play semi-pro baseball in the Man-Sask League that ran each May to August.  He worked while he was there at Monarch Lumber, loading lumber and attending to customers’ lumber needs.  When he was transferred to Monarch in Swan River, he chose to leave the company so he could still play baseball in Grandview.  He got a job at the Co-op doing accounting and bookkeeping work, something he said he had no idea about!  While playing ball, he had the opportunity to play in tournaments against the likes of Gordie Howe and Emile “The Cat” Francis who was both a GM and a player. It rained so much one summer that the league literally washed away so Dad had to go in search of work. He worked briefly doing manual labour in Flin Flon at the Cooper Mine until one day he was called into the office. He thought he was being fired.  Instead, the Mine asked if he would go to the Yukon to work in their operation there – in accounting. He described his 5 years in the Yukon as wonderful and only left when the owner suddenly passed away.

 

Dad then moved to Winnipeg to train as an Accountant and married Kay. Together, they bought a new home in St. James to raise their family. Many happy years were spent there. He got a job at Labatt’s Brewery where he worked as the Comptroller for many years.  He took a new opportunity at Associated Beer Distributors, when the various breweries decided to amalgamate their beer distribution system, and stayed there until his retirement.

 

Dad spent many hours on the golf course, first at Breezy Bend then at Bel Acres. He developed many close friendships including Don, Marcel, and Charlie.   He loved to curl and spent many weekends at Assiniboine Curling Club and at bonspiels throughout Manitoba. He also volunteered at many golf and curling events. He loved to travel and especially enjoyed his golf trips with his brother, Al.  He also looked forward to his lunches with Al and Tommy at Rae and Jerry's, and his breakfasts with buddies at A & W.

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Don was a tremendous Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan and maintained season tickets for more than 50 years.  He enjoyed long-distance running and played hockey for many years. His greatest joy, though, was watching his grandchildren grow up and attending their many hockey games.   In his eyes, they were always the best on the ice!

 

Our family wishes to thank the tremendous staff on 4 North at Victoria General Hospital where he spent the last 8 months and to Corrina for all her help..

 

A private family service will be held.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manitoba Heart & Stroke Foundation or CancerCare Manitoba.