Donald Alexander Dowsley
August 8, 1930 – November 25, 2013
DOWSLEY, Donald Alexander, born August 08th, 1930 in Abbey, Saskatchewan, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2013 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Don is predeceased by his beloved wife Joan who passed away in May. Don leaves to mourn his daughter Alexandra, sons Gordon and John, sisters Mary and Dorothy, daughters in law Lynn and Shauna, granddaughter Jennifer, grandsons Christopher, Michael, Stephen, Patrick, Thomas, great grandsons Carter, Colton, and Gavin.
Son of Dr. Gordon and Theodora (Ted) Dowsley, Don graduated from Magee High School in Vancouver, and later UBC (Forestry Engineering). While at UBC, and always wanting to become a pilot, Don joined the RCAF Auxiliary, earned his wings, later to be assigned to 443 Squadron in Vancouver. Don flew Harvards, Mustangs, Vampires and T33’s, but his favourite aircraft was the P51D Mustang.
While at UBC Don met his wife Joan, and they were married in Vancouver on October 16th, 1956. As a young forestry engineer with MacMillan Bloedel, Don took his new bride to a number of rugged logging outposts and towns on Vancouver Island including Menzies Bay, Sarita River, Franklin River, Duncan, Port Alberni, and Nanaimo. During this period Don and Joan built many friendships that lasted a lifetime.
In 1990, after 35 years with MB, Don and Joan retired, and on their cottage property on Salt Spring Island built their dream home. Salt Spring Island was Don and Joan’s favourite place on earth and what they loved most was to have family and many friends visit so they too could enjoy the paradise they truly loved.
Always in our hearts, Don will be missed by family and friends. There will be no Service by request, and in lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.