Obituary of Donald Abram Nightingale
Donald Abram Nightingale passed away on Thursday December 12th, 2024 at the Village of University Gates (LTC) in Waterloo, Ontario.
Don was predeceased by his first wife, Marina Olson, in February 1993, and by his second wife Mary Buhr, in October 2024. He was a caring and dedicated father to Sharon and Bruce and an amazing, loving grandfather to Kaitlyn and Emma. He will also be remembered by his brother, Harry, in Winnipeg and his many nieces and nephews
Don lived a full life of family, career, volunteerism and community affairs. His 52 year long business career was entirely in the food industry beginning as a delivery boy for the Kelvin meat market in Winnipeg. Through his career, he rose from sales and marketing to executive positions with national responsibilities in Toronto. Don retired in 2001 as the owner of Donbiz Consulting Services, consultant to the food industry. During his career, Don was extremely active in trade associations such as Baking Association of Canada, Canadian Food Service Executives Association, Ontario Food Brokers Association, Sales and Marketing Executives of Winnipeg and Sales and Marketing Executives of Toronto, serving on the boards of all of them.
In community affairs Don was active in politics. He served as an Alderman in the City of East Kildonan, a metropolitan Winnipeg city, in the 1960’s. Shortly after leaving the position, The Winnipeg City Council named a street after him. For over 30 years he was an active member of Provincial and Federal Liberal parties in Manitoba and Ontario.
Lacrosse was his favourite sport, where he was a player, coach, referee and executive member in Manitoba and Ontario. He was enshrined into the Manitoba Lacrosse Hall of Fame as part of the 1954 Manitoba Junior All-Star team. Don was a past president of Arts Etobicoke, a community arts council, a board member of River East Regional Library and the Henderson Accepted Freemasons, Winnipeg, Ramses Shrine and Ramses Shrine Drum Corps, Toronto. He was also a full, participating member of The Mocha Shrine, London, Ontario, The Waterloo Shrine Club, The Probus Club of Kitchener-Waterloo and Storytellers of Canada.
Don had a stroke on April 23rd 2014 and moved to the Village of University Gates Long Term Care home on April 29th 2016. Don and Mary participated in many activities hosted by Research Institute for Aging, which is associated with University Gates. Highlights included speaking to graduate Engineering students, Medical students and making a presentation at a regional convention in Toronto.
Don thanks the staff at the Village of University Gates for the great care received and thanks his family for their continuing care and love.
It was Don’s wish that immediate cremation take place. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Don’s memory to The Research Institute For Aging , or The Heart and Stroke Foundation. Donations can be made at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home 171 King St S, Waterloo, or online at www.erbgood.com
A celebration of life will take place at 12 noon – 3 pm on Friday, January 10, 2025, at the Schomberg Community Hall, 325 Main Street (2nd floor), Schomberg On, L0G 1T0
Celebration of Life
