Donald Don,Donnie,Adorable Don Frederick Mielke

Donald Frederick Mielke was lovingly welcomed into the world on October 29,1960 by his parents Joan Beverly (Moulton) Mielke and Donald Frederick Mielke and his sisters, Paticia Ann (April 30th,1956) and Susan Margaret (March 16,1957). It was a wondrous day for the Mielke family. His mom was elated to have a son, his dad was very proud to have a son and namesake, and his sisters were very excited to have a baby brother. Moreover, Donald and his Mom would always enjoy a very special, beautiful bond. He was the apple of her eye, and oh, how he loved his Mom. In this niche of love and family, Donald would learn key principles that would forever be a part of his personhood: family first; respect and honesty are integral in relationships; mutuality is essential in love; do and be your best and lastly, a very strong work ethic was deeply instilled in Donald. His Mom's passion and life was her family and she worked very hard to provide her family with a well-organized and 'neat and tidy' home, her home was her castle, as Donald's would be in his adult life. His Dad worked tirelessly for his family, always looking for opportunities to earn additional money to provide for his family. To this end he often bought, renovated and sold homes to improve his family's lifestyle. This resulted in Donald and his sisters living in a variety of homes in various parts of the city, and attending different schools. The latter was often challenging for Donald whose nature as a child was both quiet and shy. Undoubted his Mom was a key factor in helping him through these transitions.

Donald began his life on McLean Street in south end Halifax. As a toddler he lived at 27 Rufus Avenue in Fairview. His third and fourth years were spent with his family at his grandfathers's home at 1671 Walnut Street in West End Halifax as necessitated by his Dad's need to care for his ailing father, Frederick Mielke. The family returned to Rufus Avenue in 1965, and in 1966 Donald began his education at Burton Ettinger School. Highlights of his childhood years included playing hockey, singing a solo at age 5 at the annual St.Patrick's Day concert, overnight trips to Wentworth Valley with his Dad, a family trip by train to Ottawa, Sunday afternoon drives which always included a stop for a treat, and perhaps his favourite, countless beach days with extended family members at either Shad Bay or Dorey's Beach. Life was good and simple and fun! Donald's parents quietly sacrificed so that the family never went without the basics, and moreover, provided them with some extras. Periodically his Dad would put everyone in the car and announce he had a dream. No one would know the destination or event, and, as if by magic, the family would arrive and thoroughly enjoy an activity such as a day at the stock car races, family bowling or a drive-in theatre movie night. How Donald loved the excitement of those mysterious and magical dreams!

In 1970 his family moved to 3635 Gottingen Street where he attended St.Stephen's school. Donald loved his large bedroom in the basement, separate from his sisters who still shared a room. He took meticulous care of his toys and showed great imagination in the creation of an imaginary friend named Deke. The family (and Deke) moved to Olivet Street in 1973 where Donald attended St.Agnes school. In 1974, the family moved to 12 Holly Drive and he continued his junior high education at BC Silver school where he met his great friend Johnny Touesnard. Quite the twosome, tall Don and small Johnny! In 1976, his family returned to Olivet Street and Donald attended St.Pat's high school. His next home was with his family at the brand new apartment complex at 6969 Bayers Road, and then to the last family home on School Avenue from where he attended vocational school. His Mom and Dad were quite proud as neither had the opporunity to receive post-secondary education.

Those latter years,1979 and 1980 should have been ones of great happiness, but they were marred with sadness as the first love of this life, his mom, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. His grief began then and culminated with her death in 1980, forever leaving an indelible mark on his life, heart and outlook. Sadly she passed away the day after his 20th birthday. He was literally broken-hearted. Several years later Donald was fortunate to meet another true, deep love of his life, Cindy Lumsden. That love story and the resultant birth of his daughter a few years later were the absolute highlights of the next chapter of his life, the adult years.

The Adult Years

Though Donald graduated from Halifax Vocational school with a certificate in steam-fitting he would never work as one. He found work instead at Canada Post on the recommendation of another letter carrier, his brother-in-law Steve Scanlan, Patsy's husband. Donald loved working as a SLC, a supervisory letter carrier, who covered the routes of vacationing and absent letter carriers and was known to be so organized and conscientious that senior letter carriers would ask for him specifically to cover their 'walks'. Young and restless, Donald left the post office after a year or so on an unsuccessful venture to work in sunny Florida. Returning to Halifax, he attained a cab license and drove for a few years before finally returning to Canada Post where would work another 28 years until his illness in 2015.

Older and wiser, Donald thrived as a letter carrier the second time around. He would appreciate the security and pay of a government position but he loved the physical exercise, fresh air and independence the position afforded him. He became known as one of the most dependable employees at Canada Post, never or rarely absent. He worked many years without a sick day, once earning a 5 year absence free honor. Donald would tell you it was that he never wanted to let his clients down. He accommodated all kinds of special requests such as to hold mail until someone got back from vacation or put the mail in the older lady's back door as she couldn't navigate the front stairs very well.

It was during those early days that Donald lived in Stoneybrook Court in Fairview and there that he met his future wife. Cindy, a country girl from Nine Mile River was 2 1/2 years older than Donald and had recently moved back to Nova Scotia from Calgary, Alberta. The apartment building was filled with young twenty somethings and was a constant tide of shifting roommates, friendships and drama. Immediately Donald's friends tried to play matchmaker with him and Cindy which had the opposite effect on these two worldly souls. Eventually, the two found themselves talking and spending time together and yes, falling in love. Donald had continued to be close to his sisters and Dad and it was only with their heartfelt approval that he would propose marriage to Cindy.

Donald F. Mielke and Cynthia Marie Lumsden were married on Saturday June 6th,1987 at St. Pius 10th church in Fairview. Donald's best man was his good friend Johnny Touesnard and maid of honor was Bonita O'Toole, both former roommates from Stoneybrook and matchmakers. Donald and Cindy went to Old Orchard Beach, Maine after their wedding day. It was Cindy's first time traveling outside of Canada and the start of a lifetime of travel and road trips together. Their true honeymoon trip would be in April 1988 when they drove to Florida for 3 weeks in their little white two seater Fiero sports car. Donald was excited to repeat his earlier Forida road trip experiences and share them with his new bride.

After the wedding, the couple moved into McKeen towers and enjoyed two years of the best of Halifax nightlife and restaurants all the while saving for a house. In 1989, Cindy and Donald were excited to find out they were expecting a little baby and with that incentive, purchased a semi-detached house on 8 Fir Tree Lane in Timberlea for their growing family.

On Wednesday September 20th,1989 after a short labor, Amy Lynn Mielke was born to proud parents at 1:59 pm. For Donald it was love at first sight and the man who once stated that he wouldn't be much help with babies and diapers and such, became the perfect loving, patient and doting father. Amy's childhood days would be Donald's favourite years. He was the ever present Dad, watchful that his little girl would be happy and safe. When Cindy began to work evening shift at Camp Hill hospital when Amy was 4 months old, Donald seamlessly shared child rearing responsibilies. From suppertime to bedtime, evenings were filled with playgrounds, and bike rides and bus trips to the mall.

Following in his father's footsteps, Donald's favorite pastime and greatest pleasure came from planning and executing surprise travel for his family, from simple mystery destination day trips to weekend jaunts to N.B. to elaborate family vacations to Florida.

When Amy was 11, Donald looked to bring his family closer to town, and with newer schooling opportunities in the area, bought a house in Clayton Park West. The semi-detached house on Stratford Way was lovely but when a single home at 32 Roxham Close became available, the Mielkes were finally settled.

During Amy's teenage years, Donald was the on call chauffeur to ferry her between her friends homes as well as practices, games and events for school, choir, Neptune Theatre and soccer. Donald was happiest watching Amy in all her musical plays throughout her school years and at Neptune Theatre. From a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz in elementary school to Sandy in Grease in junior high to Gavroche in Les Misérables in high school, Donald was proudest watching his little girl own the stage.

Donald loved all kinds of music and shared that love with his daughter. His taste music was eclectic and discerning, from his 80s big hair bands to the current top 10, he would have a knack for picking the next big hit.

When Amy went away to university in Newfoundland. Donald and Cindy found themselves with the time and freedom to travel often. They travelled south again to St. Pete's Beach, Florida, to Punta Cana and Puerta Plata in the Dominican Republic and to Veradero and many times to Donald's favorite, Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba. When Amy moved to Toronto, the Mielkes hit the road again, venturing each October through Quebec and Ontario and central USA to visit her. The last road trip would find them in beautiful Muskoka to meet Amy's boyfriend Matt's parents on a lovely Thanksgiving Day.

Amy and Matt moved home to Halifax in August of the next year when Donald was diagnosed with ALS. The last precious months went too quickly but Donald was happy and at peace to have his family by his side.

Donald F. Mielke, the second, passed away on Friday November 27, surrounded by all his family and friends, everyone he loved and who loved him. He was a good man and will be forever remembered and missed for his eidetic memory, for his intelligence and dry wit, for his generosity and kindness, for the poetry he found in music, for his big gestures and bigger heart, for the love he inspired in others, and for his deep and enduring love of family. ❤️

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DONALD MIELKE

’Don’, ‘Donnie’, ‘Adorable Don’

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Frederick Mielke, age 55, of Halifax, on Friday November 27th, 2015.

Loving husband and best friend of 28 years to his wife Cindy, proud Dad to the light of his life, his daughter Amy (Matt Conway), Don’s world was his family - their well being and happiness his lifelong commitment. His greatest pleasure came from planning surprise treats and gifts, adventures and travel. His greatest love was music.

Forever known as Donald by his siblings, he is survived by his beloved sisters Pat Scanlan, Susan Miller (Fraser) and his many nieces and nephews who loved their ‘Uncle Donald’. He also loved and will be sadly missed by his extended family & friends.

Donald was predeceased by his parents Donald Frederick Mielke Sr., and Joan Mielke (Moulton) and his brother-in-law Steve Scanlan.

Don was very well liked and respected by his co-workers at Canada Post with many friendships that spanned his 30 year career as a Letter Carrier. Don took great pride in his occupation with caring and attentive service to each and every door.

Cremation has taken place under the care of JA Snow Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive.

A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday December 5, 2015 from 1 - 4 pm in the Bridge Room (12th floor), Juno Tower, CFB Stadacona, 2648 Lorne Terr., Halifax.

Donations would be greatly appreciated to ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (http://alsnbns.ca/) or other charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.

“Where there is Deep Grief, there was Great Love”