Donald Arthur McKissick, age 79 years, passed away surrounded by his family’s love on Saturday, December 16, 2017.
Don was born on October 22, 1938 and grew up in Current River. Don met his future wife and love of his life, Rose, while skating at the Fort William Gardens. They recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.
Don was employed in his younger years at Marshall Wells and at Lee’s Esso in Current River. He began to work at Great Lakes Paper in 1966. Throughout his years there, he developed many lasting friendships with his mill buddies. Don was an active member of Local 39 and was very proud to be an elected trustee. He retired, as a millwright, from Bowater in 1998 after 32 years of service.
Family was most important to Don. He loved taking family vacations and he always talked about the several trips taken with the girls and in-laws to visit family on their cherry farm in Osoyoos, B.C. Don always looked forward to visiting his daughter Louise in Montreal and Chicago, taking in all the sites and popping into a jazz club or two! Don's greatest joy was the arrival of his two grandsons, Cameron and Andrew. He enjoyed every minute with them, especially trips to Florida, taking in Disneyland and golfing together on a Jack Nicklaus PGA golf course. Don participated in mixed curling and was a member of the “Take it Easy” league. He enjoyed camping and fishing, but his pride and joy was his yard and garden growing the tastiest Irish potatoes.
Don is survived by his wife, Rose, daughter Louise, daughter Karen (Dean Kowalchuk), grandsons Cameron and Andrew, brother-in-law Stephen Varga, Carl Homonko (Carolyn), nieces, nephews and cousins. He is pre-deceased by his parents William and Annie McKissick, sister Diane Varga, and in-laws Bruno and Barbara Homonko, and brother-in-law Leo Homonko.
Funeral services will be held at St. Agnes Church on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 12:10 p.m. Family visitation one hour prior to service. If friends desire, donations to charity of your choice would be appreciated.
