Obituary for Donald Balkwill
BALKWILL, Donald Leighton “Don”
1932 – 2022
Mr. Donald Leighton Balkwill of Red Deer, Alberta passed away peacefully at age 90 in Red Deer
Regional Hospital Centre on Sunday, July 10, 2022. Don was born on the family farm near Kisbey, Saskatchewan in 1932. He was one of thirteen children. At age seventeen and a half and with his parent’s permission, he and his identical twin brother joined the Canadian Armed forces. He served for 29 years in the RCHA (Royal Canadian Horse Artillery). Postings included Debert, Nova Scotia, Gagetown, New Brunswick, Hemer, Germany, Winnipeg and Shilo, Manitoba, Chilliwack, British Columbia and Red Deer, Alberta. After he retired, he went to work at the Bowden Institute for thirteen years. He was an active member of the Red Deer Fish and Game, Korean War Veterans and Red Deer Legion. He had many interesting stories about Korea, FLQ crisis, Churchill, and Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Donald was not extremely talkative. On occasion, and if by chance Donald got together with his military friends, even more stories ensued, especially the stories of the pranks that they played. Dad was always eager to be an active participant in many of these pranks. Donald supported Stars, Red Deer Hospice and the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation and in particular The Festival of Trees. Don will be forever lovingly remembered by his daughter, Diana of Red Deer and his many friends. Don was predeceased by his loving wife Lois and eleven of his siblings. Sadly, his remaining sibling passed away eleven days after him. At his request, there will be no service and his ashes will be placed with his wife in the columbaria at Alto Reste Cemetery. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
1932 – 2022
Mr. Donald Leighton Balkwill of Red Deer, Alberta passed away peacefully at age 90 in Red Deer
Regional Hospital Centre on Sunday, July 10, 2022. Don was born on the family farm near Kisbey, Saskatchewan in 1932. He was one of thirteen children. At age seventeen and a half and with his parent’s permission, he and his identical twin brother joined the Canadian Armed forces. He served for 29 years in the RCHA (Royal Canadian Horse Artillery). Postings included Debert, Nova Scotia, Gagetown, New Brunswick, Hemer, Germany, Winnipeg and Shilo, Manitoba, Chilliwack, British Columbia and Red Deer, Alberta. After he retired, he went to work at the Bowden Institute for thirteen years. He was an active member of the Red Deer Fish and Game, Korean War Veterans and Red Deer Legion. He had many interesting stories about Korea, FLQ crisis, Churchill, and Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Donald was not extremely talkative. On occasion, and if by chance Donald got together with his military friends, even more stories ensued, especially the stories of the pranks that they played. Dad was always eager to be an active participant in many of these pranks. Donald supported Stars, Red Deer Hospice and the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation and in particular The Festival of Trees. Don will be forever lovingly remembered by his daughter, Diana of Red Deer and his many friends. Don was predeceased by his loving wife Lois and eleven of his siblings. Sadly, his remaining sibling passed away eleven days after him. At his request, there will be no service and his ashes will be placed with his wife in the columbaria at Alto Reste Cemetery. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.