Mr. Donald Thomas Parnell

Donald Thomas Parnell

December 25, 1936 – December 21, 2014

Our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, Donald Thomas Parnell, passed away peacefully at the age of 77 in Kenora, Ontario with his family by his side. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Florence Anne Parnell (nee Baker), his sons William and Jason, his sister, Geraldine, and his brother, Raymond, as well as his parents.

He is survived by his sons James (Carla), Robert (Jody) and Andrew (Jeannine); his grandchildren Brandy (Regan Addison), Jennifer (Bryce Park), Mark (Bailey Markham), Jake, Julia (Josh Carlson), Travis, Zoey, John, and Maxwell; and his great granddaughters Ada Park and Audrey Carlson.

Donald proposed to his love, Flossy, as a very young boy while sitting in a wagon with her, and went on to marry her on September 5, 1959 and raise their children together. Donald worked at the Boise Cascade/Abitibi Paper Mill in Kenora, Ontario until his retirement in 1994. Donald was a devoted father, grandfather and more recently great grandfather.

Donald was an avid collector. From stamps and coins to hockey cards and, most recently, hot wheels, he genuinely enjoyed acquiring each piece and expanding his collections. His passions and knowledge were endless. He loved to travel and whether a day trip to Winnipeg or a trip to the mountains, he enjoyed it all. As a younger man he looked forward to camping trips and spending time outdoors with his wife and children and more recently he really enjoyed sitting around a bonfire with his family. Donald had a love of cars and things with motors and is undoubtedly responsible for the love of motorcycles that seems to have been passed down in the family DNA. He never lost his zest for living and even in his 70’s you would find him doing things like learning how to fly remote control helicopters and planes with his son.

Donald was born on Christmas Day and it seems fitting because he was particularly good at delivering special gifts to his family that were heartfelt, selected with love and occasionally wrapped using duct tape. He was a generous and thoughtful man all year round, and from oldest son to youngest great granddaughter, all could be sure they held a special place in his heart.

He will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 11:00am at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with Pastor Cathy Giroux officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Donald’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation or a charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com

BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.