Donald "Don" Robert Ferguson

Donald Robert Ferguson

October 25, 1930 to September 17, 2023

Don was born at the onset of the Dirty 30s on the farm near Halbrite, Saskatchewan, second child of five, to Mabel and Bill Ferguson. The Ferguson family moved to Winnipeg in 1941 in search of opportunities. Following school, Don moved to Minnedosa to work for John Gingles who had started a TV repair business. Here Don met Marian Brown, daughter of Ed and Florence (Rose) Brown and they married May 7, 1955, in her parents' home.

In 1956, the young couple moved to BC in search of work, where their daughter Lorraine was born. A few years later, they moved back to Manitoba and their two sons, Dave then Pat, were born. Don worked at Canada Telecom and Wire in Winnipeg until 1968 when they moved to the farm just outside Minnedosa.

Family was important to Dad and influenced his decisions about work and schooling as an adult. It was important to him to be able to come home to family each night, so when, at age 39, Don decided to go back to school, he chose Assiniboine Community College. There he took his high school upgrading and went on to gain a certificate in Radio and TV Servicing. He opened his own TV and Radio repair and sales business in town then later ran Don’s Electronics out of his converted garage until retiring at 65. He regularly joined the rest of the retirees down at the local coffee shop, swapping stories and the latest gossip.

Don had many interests and hobbies. He played guitar and spent hours jamming with friends. He played hockey with the "Old Timers" league and spent many more hours travelling the countryside, metal detecting with friends, many of whom are gone now.

He loved the outdoors and his interests often reflected that. Fond memories of moonlight skating as a family on the slough in the dead of winter and family hiking or camping trips stand out. For years, Dad could be seen jogging the country roads around home and at 90 years old when dementia had advanced, he still tried to walk every day. His interests spanned from wildlife to UFOs, family genealogy to taking photos, usually of wildlife and the outdoors.

Dad had a sharp mind and a sense of humour, often cracking jokes. He enjoyed crossword puzzles until a combination of Alzheimer's Disease and vascular dementia took those skills away. The dementia advanced and eventually Dad had to go into care. We are deeply grateful for the wonderful care Dad received from the countless staff and volunteers at Country Meadows Personal Care Home in Neepawa, who often treated him like their own grandpa.

Dad died peacefully at the age of 92 on September 17 at Neepawa General Hospital, with his daughter by his side.

He was predeceased by his parents, and 3 of his 4 sisters: Grace Scramsted, Leona Pelletier and Gloria Litwinowich.

Surviving Don are his wife Marian of 68 years, daughter Lorraine and husband Grant Kaczor and their children and grandchildren, sons Dave and Pat. Also surviving are his youngest sister Edith Berube of Alberta, plus many nieces and nephews.

A public service will be held on Saturday, September 23, at 2:00 p.m. in the Minnedosa Cemetery, with Kathy Platt officiating. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the CancerCare Manitoba or the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.