Passed away at Cambridge Country Manor on Tuesday November 15, 2016 just a couple of weeks after his 86th birthday. Don is survived by his wife of 58 years Marjorie (Gillespie), sister Nora Wilson of New Liskeard and brother Rev Andy McKee (Laurene) of Deep River and sister-in-law Shirley McKee of Toronto as well as four children John McKee of Sudbury, Laurie Lantaigne (Richard) of Guelph, Jamie McKee (Kim Barrieau) of Kitchener-Waterloo and Mary Ellen Castrechino (Gino) of Sudbury as well as 5 grandchildren, Janelle & Patrick Lantaigne, Jake and Holly McKee and Robbie Castrechino. Born in New Liskeard, Don was one of 9 children. Family was important; he always enjoyed getting together with family for holidays and special events.
His work took him from New Liskeard to Matheson and the Arctic before transferring to the Sudbury area for the Foundation Company. One of his early jobs was working on the Distant Early Warning Line (DEW Line) in northern Canada setting up the northernmost radar stations. In Sudbury, he met Marjorie Laurine Gillespie, a teacher and they married in Erin in July 1958. They continued to live in Sudbury where they raised their four children. Don worked as an office manager for several different companies in the region, as well as two years in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, before starting work for Revenue Canada in 1983. In the early 1990’s he transferred to Agriculture Canada and he & Marjorie moved to Guelph. Don retired in 1995.
Don enjoyed sports, gardening and wood working. He curled, bowled and was an avid long distance runner, running in several marathons. He was a Guelph Storm season ticket holder for years. Although he gave up running, he walked all the time and played golf into his late 70’s.
Don’s family will receive friends at Gilchrist Chapel, McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, 1 Delhi Street, Guelph on Saturday November 26th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a service to follow in the funeral home chapel at 1p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the charity of your choice. We invite you to leave your condolences and donations online at www.gilchristchapel.com