Obituary of Donald Hamilton

HAMILTON: Donald James Hamilton, 74, died early Friday morning, May 12, 2017, surrounded by loving family. He left as he had lived: with strength and resilience, and refusing to make a fuss. Born in Winnipeg on Sept. 19, 1942, to parents John and Barbara, Don arrived into the world narrowly before his twin sister Dorothy. Growing up in Winnipeg, where he graduated from St. Paul's High School, Don was possibly one of the last people with a job as bowling alley pinsetter. Working behind the scenes for others would be a defining characteristic throughout Don's life: He dedicated his career to helping others. Earning his Master's degree in social work at the University of Manitoba, Don entered public service as a probation officer and social worker. At a posting in Swan River, Manitoba, young Don met the Saskatchewan home economist with whom he would spend his life. Don and Lynda soon moved together to Brandon, where in 1972 they would marry and go on to raise a family with four children. After several years in probation, Don joined the Brandon Correctional Centre, administering and improving programs for inmates to focus on the best needs of the community. He was generous with his time to related causes such as the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. As much as he devoted his professional life to the rehabilitation of others, he applied a similar vision at home. Over the course of decades, he refinished and restored nearly every inch of an expansive old Victorian house. He was dedicated to respecting the authenticity of the building, carefully matching woodwork and building a sunroom that lined up with the faded porch roofline. In his sprawling yard, which expanded from a bare corner lot to verdantly take over two neighbouring properties, Don always found room for one more plant. On the rare days when everything had been watered to his specifications, Don would embark on ambitious projects, from flagstone paths to gazebos. The old maroon station wagon got a workout hauling in found yard décor — often scavenged from the roadside after catching Don's eye. Not content with at least a half-dozen apple varieties, Don continued adding new fruit to his orchard: pears and plums, cherries and berries, even grapes and apricots. Two of his most recent additions were black walnut trees, from which he was thrilled to spot and pick walnuts on the young branches. In autumn, it was common to see Don in the kitchen, watching the news and diligently slicing fruit to save and preserve just as much as possible. Those jams and jellies would join Don's homemade wine as gifts to be shared with many tables. Travel was always a passion, and one that Don took care to pass on to his family. From the early days of their relationship, Don and Lynda trekked through Europe and lounged on the islands of Hawaii, both places where they would return several times. As their family grew, Don and Lynda embarked on long road trips and tenting vacations, to see large swaths of Canada, and to save big money on back-to-school shopping in America. Finally, as the nest emptied, trips once again started heading further afield, with Don exploring his roots in the United Kingdom, the history of Europe, the beaches of Latin America, Southeast Asia and New Zealand, and the culture and wilderness of Africa. All told, Don was able to visit five continents. Back at home, as his passport piled up stamps, Don collected accolades at work. He was especially proud of his Corrections Exemplary Service Award, earned in 1993 from the Governor General. Pride of place among his many certificates and diplomas, however, was reserved for an honour he received later in life: Qualified Irish Whiskey Taster from the Jameson Distillery in Dublin. As retirement approached, early signs of Don's struggle became more and more apparent. Eventually, it was clear that he was having difficulty carrying on a conversation. Diagnosed with aphasia, Don concluded his career just months shy of his 40-year anniversary. Despite his struggles, Don took joy in additional travel, in visits from children and grandchildren, and in the expanded time he had available for yard and garden work and for household puttering. In 2012, he hosted the last of his very big yard parties, a 40th anniversary celebration with Lynda. Family and friends came from far and wide to drink champagne, to join in the festivities, to toast the happy couple, and to explore the yard. Growing difficulty with language portended advancing dementia. As Don struggled, Lynda stepped in, to ensure he was able to continue enjoying trips and family. No matter how confused Don became in his later years, you could be assured of two things: First, that even if he didn't recognize you, he would greet you with a beaming smile and a genuine "Hi!" And second, that Lynda would be right there with him. After a final family Christmas celebration at home, Don entered the Brandon hospital in early 2016 for assessment and treatment. He received considerate care for more than a year before placement in a personal care home. Earlier this month, he returned to the hospital for palliative care, and family came back to Brandon to be by his side until the end. On his behalf, Don's family offer heartfelt thanks to the outstanding and caring staff at both the Assiniboine Centre and Hillcrest Place. Don was predeceased by his father John (1999), mother Barbara (née Mulligan) (2002), brother John (1992) and sister Peggy (as an infant, 1941). He is survived by his twin sister Dorothy (Tom), brother Patrick (Nancy), and sister-in-law Patricia. He is also survived by wife Lynda (née Foster), children Grant (Amy), Graeme (Lisa), Dianne (Colin) and Alison (Ryan), and grandchildren Riley, Norah, Logan and Lincoln. A commemoration of Don's life will be held on Thursday, May 25, at the Brockie Donovan chapel in Brandon. The service starts at 2:00 p.m., with interment at Brandon Cemetery and reception to follow. Donations in Don's memory are gratefully directed towards organizations to which he gave his time, including the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, as well as to organizations from which he benefitted, including Westman Aphasia, Inc. and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. It would also be in keeping with Don's life and philosophy for you to choose a recipient that was meaningful to you, or simply to plant some flowers.