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Don passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the Moog & Friends Hospice House in Penticton, BC with his loving wife and children by his side. He received tremendous care and the family would like to especially thank Dr. Lorraine Kane.

Don is survived by his wife Claire, his children and step-children Sharon (Dave) Zorman, Tom (Charlene) Chesley, Martin (Terry) Tooms, Nick (Robin) Tooms, Roger (Cheryl) Tooms, and Chris Tooms, his grandchildren Darrell (Reina), Mallory, Amanda, Breanna, Amy, Brandon, Ashley, Andrew, Matthew, Devan, Bryce, Amber (Jeff), David and Kristen, his great-grandchildren Jacob, Brannon and Emily, his brothers Ken (Bonny), Bruce (Pat) his sisters-in-law, Irene and Pat and many nieces and nephews.

Don was predeceased by his parents, Art and Eunice, his brothers Herb and Walter, his sister-in-law Edna, and his step-son Rob.

Don was born January 7, 1937 at his Mom and Dad’s homestead in Saskatchewan and spent his younger years in Prince Albert, Shipman and Montreal Lake and later Christopher Lake. Don’s sawmill life started early at his Dad’s mill and continued in 1956 with Brownmiller Sawmill in BC followed by West Fraser Mills taking him from Quesnel to Chetwynd in 1978 and Terrace in 1987. In 1961 Don went to New Zealand on a working holiday where he met and married Joan in 1963. Don and Joan moved back to Quesnel and the family grew with the addition of Sharon and Tom. Life was happy and busy with family activities and work. 1983 started a new phase of life for Don – he was now a Grandpa, a role he cherished. Don and Joan separated in 1991 and in 1992 he met Claire, who he married in 1994. This more than doubled the size of his family. 1995 brought retirement for Don and Claire with moves to Kamloops and later Osoyoos where they golfed and wintered in Arizona. Don’s commitment to his family was evident in the many trips he made for family celebrations with his parents, brothers, children, grandchildren. 2015 brought Don to Penticton where he and Claire downsized and were looking forward to the next stage of their lives. This ended far too soon for Don. He will be missed so very much and will always be in our hearts.

A Memorial Service will be held for Don at the Quesnel Seniors CentreSaturday, November 28th at 12:30 PM

followed by interment at the Quesnel Cemetery and a tea at the Seniors Centre. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be gratefully accepted.



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