DONALD “DON” PURDEY

It is with great sadness, that we share the news of the passing of Donald Purdey at the wonderful old age of 100, surpassing his personal goal! Don never had any issues with cancer, like his peers, and survived the Covid Pandemic of 2020, and his heart and mind were strong and good, and even survived a threatening accidental gunshot wound, when he was a young boy.

He is missed by his loyal wife, Helen Roberta, living still, and lovingly called Bobbie, (Watt), married and love of his life, June 2, 1953 at the United Church in McConnell, Manitoba. Their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2013, was shared by over 100 folks, many family and friends, young and old, in their loving honor, at The United Church in Meadowood in Winnipeg, Mb.

At Don’s passing, Don and Bobbie were still living together at Poseidon Care Centre, after living at Seine River Residence for 7 years, and living most of their lives, almost 50 years in Windsor Park, Winnipeg, Mb., and their first home was in Brandon, Mb. for 8 years.

Don was born in Milford-Surrey, England, but arrived in Canada as an infant in 1925, as his mother Mary Ann (Knight), with 7 older brothers and sisters travelled alone from England across Canada, to join his father, Walter Purdey, a WWI London volunteer fire policeman, who was given a Canadian land pioneer and settler grant in Wapella, Saskatchewan. Don had lived longer than, as all his brothers and sisters had before him; Charles, Hilda, Dorothy, Minnie, George, Richard, (then Don), and the youngest born in Canada, Grace. Don’s brothers served in World War II, (Charlie was in the Merchant Marine, Richard enlisted in the South Saskatchewan Regiment and survived with Military Honors and also added his leadership to the British Army, George was shot dead by a sniper in liberating France), while Don was excused from all The Canadian Armed Services. A previous accidental gunshot wound, when Don was a young boy on the farm, which with his lighter size, he was excused without prejudice of serving in any Canadian Armed Service. Don dedicated his adult life to improving himself with above average education, and his overall community and church community in Saskatchewan, then Brandon Mb, and in Winnipeg Mb, which was an ongoing tribute to his brothers, and the men and women that fought for his/our freedoms.

Don was always a loving father, with two sons, Brian James born in 1954 and Douglas Kent born in 1957. His boys later married, which made Don so happy, with Doug marrying Loraine Ann (Roberts) and Brian marrying Jill (Duma). Don’s happiness grew with four grandchildren, adding to his world, with Doug and Loraine’s children; Matthew Douglas, and Diana Robyn. Then Brian and Jill’s children; Robert James, and Michael John. Don supported and loved his daughters-in-law like they were his immediate family, and all the spouses / partners of the grandchildren as well. Matthew married Trisiana (Dewi), Diana married Kevin (Ferreira), and Robert married Katie (Date), and Michael’s partner Carly Papagiannis.

Don was also able to live long enough and was blessed to greet his four great-grandchildren from Matthew and his wife Trisiana; Samara and Alisha. Then from Diana and Kevin; Don was able to greet Dominic and Vivian, the youngest. All are healthy and wonderful. Don and Bobbie had a historic and loyal friendship over the years with all of our friends, making them all feel like a part of our family. They were the best life and guidance counselors a young man or woman could hope for. Many times Don shared with his caregivers; “that his big family are the ‘dividends’ of a full life of sharing and caring.”

Don is also sadly missed, by his very numerous nephews and nieces, across Canada.

Don and Bobbie loved to visit with them (and their families) on their many trips to Rocanville, Saskatchewan, and to Hamiota, Manitoba. They also added some family visits over to Vancouver and Maple Ridge, British Columbia, in Don’s retirement years.

Don was a Chief Administrator and Management Executive Accountant, when he retired from the Province of Manitoba Dept. of Finance, at the age of 63, which was earlier than many professionals in their time. Don had worked for the Canadian Pacific Railways in his early years in Saskatchewan, then moved to Brandon, Manitoba. He had worked for Great West Life, for a little while, not finding this was his calling, then for Canadian Anglo Oil, where he excelled in Business Accounting and managing, which prepared him for the better future with the Province of Manitoba, Dept. of Finance, working in our Legislative Building, under the Finance Minister.

With Don’s retirement in 1983, they continued camping, but now in a New Ford Motorhome. Our family remembers their beloved road trips across Canada, coast to coast, then to the south west United States to California, to the Alaskan Highway, Whitehorse and Watson Lake, in their Motorhome. Then with Brian’s CP/Air Canada Airlines benefits, graduated to travelling the World. Bobbie and Don, have had the luxury to travel to exotic places like Hawaii, Australia, Hong Kong and Beijing, China, Fuji, and Portugal. Family remembers, they loved camping with the Motorhome and with their grandchildren the most, throughout Manitoba, and visiting their favourite location, St. Malo, Manitoba. Don totally enjoyed watching it all, our swimming or boating or fishing, the campfires and storytelling and listening to the laughter around the many card or board games. Not really a participant, but he stayed up late with his boys, their spouses, and his grandchildren, every time!

Don enjoyed fishing, duck and goose hunting, photography, reading the old style Reader’s Digest and the local Winnipeg Newspapers, plus the local newspapers from his hometown, Wapella, Saskatchewan. Then he graduated to having his own computer, which added a whole new world for him to explore, from the comfort and privacy of his home, and his personal office space.

After it was time to leave their home in Windsor Park, nearly 50 years, Don and Bobbie started an amazing 7 years at Seine River Residence, where Bobbie continued to sing with their choir, join walking groups, compete in games of Shuffleboard, and often gladly participated in other games, crafts and activities they offered. Some of the best years, Don and Bobbie could enjoy for folks in their age group were living in a place like a Seniors Retirement Resort. Don could watch his movies on his big screen TV, had his office and computer, watch CFL Football and NHL Hockey, play pool sometimes downstairs, or go to the gym for cycling the odd time, and enjoy the provided meals at Seine River Residence, and sometimes local musical performers or entertainment. During this time, Don completed his life long project of creating our Purdey Family Tree Book, that he researched, including so many interesting details, going back to the mid 1800's, to His Great-Grandfather and Great-Grandmother, in England. A precious gift created for his family across Canada, with many that had no idea about their history. Don was very comfortable living here, until an unfortunate decision or accident happened, when Don was helping Bobbie, that caused them to move to the Poseidon Care Center, for more comprehensive care.

Later, Don’s son Doug, created a tribute for his Father, for the Moosomin Saskatchewan Newspaper, World Spectator, following his Dad’s 100th birthday. Don’s personal colorful story recounting those tough times in a small Prairie town, of the days Don played for the Wapella Blackhawks, in the mid 1940’s. With gratitude, the story was printed and published in December 2024.

The family of Don Purdey, wants to Thank ALL the Caregivers at Poseidon Care Centre, and ALL the Staff at Seine River Residence, for their compassionate service and attention given to our parents.

Thank You to All Immediate and Extended Family members for your Blessings and Kind Words.

The collective choice of the Purdey family is a Direct Cremation, with the disposition of Remains to be shared at a later date, and at a private location.

Sincerely;

Douglas Purdey

Brian Purdey

And their Families

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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