Date of Birth: August 12, 1932
Date of Death: March 18, 2016
SHAND – It is with deep sorrow that the Shand family announces the passing of our husband, father, grandfather and brother, Donald Joseph Shand, on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the age of 83 years. Donald was born Aug. 12, 1932 at Dauphin, Man.
Don worked for CNR, Dept. of Maintenance of Way as bridgeman, carpenter, plumber and truck driver for 40 years.
He married Beatrice Elaine Johnson of Yorkton on Aug. 3, 1963. Together, they enjoyed raising three sons, David, Keith and Jason.
Don retired from the CNR at age 57 and then accompanied his wife, who was a registered nurse. They spent 13 years in various communities such as Nunavet, NWT, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Don loved the north and experienced many jobs while there. He worked as a jail guard and accompanied the RCMP officer on his rounds. He was very proud of meeting all incoming planes when the RCMP we unable to do so. He also accompanied his wife on night calls and transporting her and their equipment on snowmobile or ATV.
They spent 13 winters in the north and 13 summers in their fifth wheel. All their times together were very happy and they returned to Melville to roost (as Don called it) in 2012. He spent the last two years of his life at the Ituna Pioneer Lodge due to failing health. He was content there as the staff of caregivers are excellent, beautiful people. Don enjoyed the food and never left a morsel on his plate until the last few days of his life. His other love was the whirlpool baths.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Davidson Shand and Ida May Shand (nee Hall); five sisters and three brothers.
He leaves to mourn his pasing: his wife of 52 years, Beatrice; three sons, David (Denise) and their children, Colby and Sydney of Headingley, Man.; Keith (Leslie) and their children, Isabel, Clara, Tate and Tess of Sundrie, Alta.; Jason (Dawna) and their children, Matthew and Kyla of Saskatoon, Sask.; three sisters, Beryl, Maxine and Phyliss.
As per Don’s request, a funeral will not be held. A private family service will be held at a later date.
