Ha halganm hayetsk
(a wall of copper shields)
DONALD JOSEPH ROBERTS
September 28, 1926-July 11, 2005
Don was born and raised in Port Essington BC (Spokeshuut). At an early age he started training for his life long occupation with his parents at their trap line and fish camp at Feaks Creek. He was an avid hunter and spent a lot of time hunting up along the Ks,yen (Skeena River) and his favorite spot on Raspberry Island.
He was a commercial fisherman, hand logger, and a trapper. He also worked at seasonal jobs at Browns Mill, Shirley Saw Mill, North Pacific Cannery’s boat shop, and was a deck hand for Jimmy Donaldson.
Don enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1944 where he went through combat training; as he completed his training the war ended. Lucky for him his family thought, but Don didn’t think so.
Don married his wife Mildred on November 28, 1951 and started to raise a family. After the “July 4, 1961” fire destroyed what was left of Port Essington the school closed in1962. Don then moved his family to Kitsumkalum on August 22, 1963, the land of his father Joseph, grandfather Jonah Roberts and his ancestors. After the move he attended Northwest Community College and earned various certificates to help him with many jobs in Kitsumkalum.
In 1976 he sold his boat The Carol D and retired from commercial fishing; then he started working on Land Claims and research. He worked his remaining work years at our hatchery from 1985 to 1993. He loved his job at the hatchery, his son Jim believed that he had a name for every smolt (young fish) in the tanks.
Don loved his family, adopted (by heart) daughters and their families, and he adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His face just lit up with each new baby. He also loved his guns and guitars, he enjoyed shooting at the rifle range with his shooting buddies.
On March 28, 2005 Don was admitted to Mills Memorial Hospital with a broken back and head injuries from his fall. Complications from these injuries further affected his health with his already failing kidneys. When Don finally lost his 3 1/2 month battle from his injuries he was surrounded by the wonderful nurses in the hemodialysis unit.
For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. - “Til we meet again Dad” 2. Timothy 4: 6 - 7
Don will be greatly missed by his loved ones. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mildred. Sons Don T (Arlene), Steve (Sherry), Richard (Angela), Jim (Helen);
daughters Stella (Ernie) Gerow, Carol D (Maurice) Sam; extended daughters Lucinda (Tom) Sager, Ida (Al) Mohler; Sister Vicky Roberts, and many nephews and nieces; 29 grandchildren, 9 extended grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, new extended grandson & great-grandson Big Mike and Little Mike D.