Donald " Don " Wellington Neal CD

In the song of life, Donald Wellington Neal CD was surely the composer. A very observant man who would rather spend his time creating than talking, Don preferred to live in a world of harmony where everything around him made sense. In fact, he depended on his sensory world to provide him with concrete data. A free spirit, Don believed that actions definitely spoke for themselves. He seemed to know what fit and what did not fit in everything he did. Don perceived that all of life’s possibilities were open to him, yet he lived with a definite sense of purpose. He was a man who was always ready to share his creations with those around him.

       His parents were Edna and Wellington Neal. Don was raised in Toronto. As a young child, Don was optimistic in his outlook. He sought out the possibilities in a given situation and looked for ways to apply his creative energies. Don rarely called attention to himself, but when he did speak out, his message was clearly understood by those around him.

      Early on in his family relationships, Don showed that he was a tolerant and flexible person, and he got along fairly well with everyone. He was raised with three siblings. He had a sister, Doris and two brothers, Len and Jim. He was a calm and playful child who was adaptable to any situation.

      As he was growing up, Don developed into a person who enjoyed physically doing things, and he took pleasure in using his hands in order to create. Whether it was drawing pictures, working with building kits, or even just tapping out a rhythm to play by, Don liked concrete things. He was a school cadet. He loved animals. He had a rabbit and a pigeon. To Don, the most fun he had was simply playing, and spending time with his two chums..

      Those who did not know Don well might not view him as being an outgoing person, those who called him their friend knew differently. Don was shy and sensitive, a person who never forced his opinions and values on others. Close friends knew that his kindness was unmatched, and once you became a friend of Don's, you understood how true a friend he could be. While growing up, some of his best friends were Kenny Gilbert and Jim Bumkin.

      A person who was sensitive to others’ feelings, modest and tolerant, Don had the ability to become completely devoted to another when that affection was returned. On July 31st, 1954, Don exchanged wedding vows with his life partner Laurene Viola Elizabeth Snell at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.

      Don was exceptionally sympathetic and compassionate when it came to his children. These emotional bonds made him as much playmate as parent. He gave his family unconditional love and kindness, sharing his artistic nature by turning everyday events into creative play. Don was blessed with 2 children, one daughter, Debbie and one son, Don. They were also blessed with 5 grandchildren, Kevin, Chris and Kyle Robinson, Kristy Conroy and Sarah DeRuiter and 7 great-grandchildren, Christian, Ainsley and Theresa Robinson, Sydney and Logan DeRuiter, Lorelei and Delilah Conroy.

      Don found ways to enjoy what he did for a living. He worked hard and did his best to succeed every day as a soldier. He was employed by the military for 19 years and then Algoma Steel and then as a Commissionaire at City Hall. Don tended to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done without imposing his will on others.

      Don was a proud Army Veteran. He was in the in 1RCHA, 128 Battery, taught at the school and finally 2RCHA serving in Picton Ont., Sault Ste Marie Ont., Picton Ont. again, Shilo Manitoba, Winnipeg Manitoba, Hemer Germany and Gagetown NB. Don saw action in the Korea War. Don stayed in the military after the war so that he could be close to Laurene. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sgt. Don's fellow soldiers saw him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home. Don's medals included: The British Korea Medal issued by Canada to the United Nations, The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea, The Special Service Meal for service in Germany, The United Nations Korea Service Medal, The Canadian Forces Decoration (CD), and the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.

      Don enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He loved working with kids so he was involved with hockey, baseball, cubs, the militia and cadets. He loved puzzles like "Find a Word and Text Twist" and he loved to read! Don was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others. He was relaxed in his approach to his leisure time because he wanted to savor the present moment.

      Don liked sports. He loved hockey. He coached baseball and hockey. Don was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Toronto Maple Leafs. They were his favourite team but he wouldn't watch them on T.V. because then they would loose.

      Throughout his life, Don was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. Throughout his later years, Don was an active member as the District Cub Master in Oromocto N.B., coached Minor League Hockey and baseball in Hemer Germany, taught range with Sea Cadets in S.S.M., Commanding Officer of Army Cadets, member of Davey Jones Naval Assoc, the Royal Canadian Legion, Heart Support Group, member of a bowling league, a member of the Korea Veterans Association and president of the Navy League of Canada. He had a tendency to bring peace to his relationships by avoiding disagreements.

      Don's faith was important to him. He was a member of the United Church of Canada. He was a sidesman in the church in Picton. Don's passionate commitment to upholding his values placed him at home in his religion.

      Because he loved the world around him, Don enjoyed traveling and going away on family vacations. It was an opportunity for him to kick back and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Don put his personal trademark on any leisure planning that he undertook. Favorite vacations included traveling home to Toronto and Sault Ste. Marie to see family, visiting Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Minnesota and Wisconsin. While living in Germany, traveling to England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Holland, Italy and Austria.

      Don was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Don's favorites was Tinker, his cat. They were best friends for 14 years. His family was rounded out by his budgie birds all named Pete, a Dalmatian dog Prince and numerous goldfish.

      When Don's retirement finally arrived in 2003 he retired as Commissionaire and stayed in Sault Ste. Marie.

      Don passed away on March 26, 2018 at Sault Area Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario due to complications from Dementia including pneumonia. He is survived by wife Laurene, children Debbie and Don, Grandchildren Kevin, Chris, Kyle, Sarah and Kristie, Great-Grandchildren Christian, Ainsley, Theresa, Lorelei, Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Services were held at Arthur Funeral Home. Don was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, 27 Fourth Line, Sault Ste. Marie.

      Don was a good, kind, practical man who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being warm and deeply caring with a silly grin on his face and always that twinkle in his eyes. He leaves behind him a treasury of life-long friendships and wonderful memories. Don always had much to give and was able to make those connections in his life where his gifts were appreciated. Don was a faithful, practical and loving person. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Don.

Eulogy by Debbie and Donnie

My brother and I have always had the best talks sitting around the table so this is how we will do the eulogy; sitting around the table with a glass of wine, telling stories about dad.

Don, remember the time the toilet in the bathroom was leaking! We wanted to fix it while Mom and Dad were out. This is when we found out that Dad had this fixation with electrical tape. It took over an hour trying to get all that tape off the pipe so you could find the leak. You did fix the toilet but not without me hearing some very descriptive suggestions that were anatomically impossible. Then there was the time the windshield wiper broke on the car. When I got into the car, I noticed Dad had used electrical tape and had wrapped the blade to the wiper arm so now the blade didn’t touch the window at all because it was covered in electrical tape. Off to Canadian Tire I go to get a new blade after peeling off that tape!

Deb, I remember in Germany when those German boys stole your sleigh. Dad came home from the mess dinner just a wee bit intoxicated and fixed that situation. We marched right over to those trouble makers and came back with the sleigh and a triumphant smile! No problem at all!

Dad loved his grandkids. One Christmas he donned a beard and hat because Santa was busy and he wanted to surprise his grandsons so he snuck over to our grandparents’ house across the street and peaked in Maws front window. The boys were so excited when they saw Santa, they ran to the door. Now Dad had to hightail it back home before they saw him. It was icy and Dad was running as fast as he could but slid past our driveway so he scrambled back climbing over the snowbank to get back in the house before the boys saw him. He was sitting comfortably in his chair when they came running in the house to ask if he had seen Santa! Poor Dad was panting so hard but still managed a smile and that twinkle in his eye.

One Summer, Mom wanted the fence stripped and repainted so this was another adventure for Dad and Debbie. I used the pressure washer to strip the paint and dad had the electric paint sprayer. Mom is a wonderful supervisor who loves to share her knowledge of how the job should be done. She was sharing her ideas with dad and I but dad was totally ignoring her as he often did. Mom turned around in disgust stating that she didn’t know why dad wore hearing aids when he never had them turned on. She stormed into the house. I looked at Dad and he had that twinkle in his eye and the biggest smile ever! He had heard every word!

Dad was a hard worker, a protector and excellent provider all of his life and the love of his life was Mom. Don as we all know about Dads jealousy, Mom told me you would ask her about all the guys that were hitting on her in front of Dad just to wind him up!

Deb, I remember when Dad was coaching my hockey team and I peed your pants on the ice. Dad had said that all professional goalies just peed on the ice because they couldn’t get to the bathroom. It was years before I realized that might not have been true.

I don’t know how Dad managed to keep his big toe either. He could stub his toe on dust but mostly it was on any piece of furniture! That was when we realized how religious he was. We heard him talk to Jesus Christ a lot! Even at my wedding Don, he walked me down the aisle and when he turned around to go back to mom he tripped. I don’t know what he tripped on but he almost landed on Mom’s lap!

When Dad was diagnosed with Dementia, he still made us laugh. One time when Mom and Dad met me at the airport, Dad presented me with a role of toilet paper he had stolen from the bathroom. He was so proud of himself and his gift for his daughter. We would be in a restaurant and we soon realized the

silverwear was in his pocket. Mom would be so embarrassed but dad would just give us that big grin and twinkle and all was forgiven. He didn’t want to wear his false teeth anymore so he took them out and hid them. It was a long time before mom found them.

Don, as you know he had a habit of patting my rear end at which time, mom would tell him that was inappropriate and he shouldn’t do that to his daughter but Dad stated my rear was so soft. Now this was not a compliment to a girl that would prefer to have buns of steel. When the nurses would put him in the lift so they could place him in his wheel chair, he always had both hands on their bottoms! They just giggled stating that he was so cute.

We were in Walmart one day and I was holding his hand so that he wouldn’t pocket anything. All of a sudden, he stopped in his tracks, looked at me and then looked at the lady walking in front of us. He spread his arms apart to mimic the size of her bottom and in a very loud and embarrassing voice, shouted VaVaVaVooooom! Dad had no filter in his dementia days!

Mom would always tell Dad that I was his brat and I certainly was! Dad showed me how to work hard and have fun but my skills of getting into trouble also came from Dad including the time that mom dressed me in that frilly white girly dress. Surprising my Dad, I crawled under the car to help him change the oil. My nice white dress wasn’t so white after that. We both got in trouble together that time. Poor dad didn’t have a chance.

I was only one gal in a list of endless women that was in love with dad. Even in the hospital where he spent the last year and a half, all the nurses and female patients had a soft spot for that grin and the twinkle in his eye. The female patients were quick to inform me that Dad was their husband and they all wanted to sit next to him or hold his hand. We have such wonderful memories of Dads potato soup, him washing our car on the beach and then realizing it was salt water, of going on walks with him and our dog Prince, of Don and I being part of a cub pack and Dad being the leader, watching Dad putter around breaking things and fixing them again. I will always remember gratefully accepting the prized stolen roll of toilet paper, of laying beside Dad in his hospital bed watching Coronation Street or Lawrence Welk on my Ipad and then holding my dads hand in a hospital bed wishing that he would put his arm around me again, say my name and remember that I was his brat.

My dad was the first man I ever loved! Dad you deserve to rest and it has been a sincere honour to be your daughter and to carry on the legacy of being your brat. I will work hard to keep that twinkle in my eye and a silly grin on my face just to keep everyone wondering what I will get into next and I have already started training the next generation.

We will miss you and look forward to seeing you again! Don, this part is for you to say to dad from soldier to soldier: Soldier on Dad! Mission Accomplished, Stand Easy!

Dignity Obituary:

NEAL, Donald Wellington CD – Peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, March 26, 2018 in his 86th year. Beloved husband of 64 years to Laurene (nee Snell). Loving father of Don (Helen) Neal and Debbie (Gary) Collins. Proud grandpa of Kevin, Kyle, Chris (Jamie) Robinson, Sarah (Les) Deruiter, Kristy (Ryan) Conroy. Great grandpa of Christian, Ainsley, Theresa (Tess), Lorelei, Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Predeceased by his parents Edna and Wellington Neal. Dear brother of the late Doris (late Harold) Thompson, late Jim (Elsie) Neal, late Len (Sheila) Neal. Don was a Korea Vet, he retired from 2RCHA after 19 years of service, he retired from Algoma Steel after 25 year service, Security Guard at City Hall with the Corp of Commissionaires for 9 years. He also enjoyed being a District Cub Master in Oromocto, NB, Coached Minor League Hockey in Hemer, Germany, taught Range with Sea Cadets in SSM, CO of Army Cadets in Sault Ste. Marie, member of Davey Jones, Naval Association, Royal Canadian Legion, Heart Support Group, an avid Bowler, member of the Korea Veterans Association, President of the Navy League of Canada, Sault Branch. Family and friends are invited to visit at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm with a Funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 4 pm. A private interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to ARCH or charity of your choice would be appreciated. Many thanks for the loving care from the nurses and Peter of 2A at the Sault Area Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 3:45 pm for a memorial service for the late Donald Neal.

o FAMILY

o Wellington Garfield Neal, Father

o Margaret Edna Spofford, Mother

o Laurene Snell, Wife

o Don Neal (Helen), Son

o Debbie Collins (Gary), Daughter

o Proud grandpa of Kevin, Kyle, Chris (Jamie) Robinson, Sarah (Les) Deruiter, Kristy (Ryan) Conroy. Great grandpa of Christian, Ainsley, Tess, Lorelei,

Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Dear brother of the late Doris (late Harold) Thompson, late Jim (Elsie) Neal, late Len (Sheila) Neal.

Sault Online Obituary:

Peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, March 26, 2018 in his 86th year. Beloved husband of 64 years to Laurene (nee Snell). Loving father of Don (Helen) Neal and Debbie (Gary) Collins. Proud grandpa of Kevin, Kyle, Chris (Jamie) Robinson, Sarah (Les) Deruiter, Kristy (Ryan) Conroy. Great grandpa of Christian, Ainsley, Theresa, Lorelei, Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Predeceased by his parents, Edna and Wellington Neal. Dear brother of the late Doris (late Harold) Thompson, late Jim (Elsie) Neal, late Len (Sheila) Neal. Don was a Korea Vet, he retired from 2RCHA after 19 years of service, he retired from Algoma Steel after 25-year service, Security Guard at City Hall with the Corp of Commissionaires for 9 years. He also enjoyed being a District Cub Master in Oromocto, NB, Coached Minor League Hockey in Hemer, Germany, taught Range with Sea Cadets in SSM, CO of Army Cadets in Sault Ste. Marie, member of Davey Jones, Naval Association, Legion, Heart Support Group, member of a bowling league, Korea Veterans Association, President of the Navy League of Canada, Sault Branch.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm with a Funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 4 pm. A private interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to ARCH or charity of your choice would be appreciated. Many thanks for the loving care from the nurses and Peter of 2A at the Sault Area Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 3:45 pm for a memorial service for the late Donald Neal.

Your Life Moments Obituary: Donald Wellington Neal CD

NEAL, Donald Wellington - Peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, March 26, 2018 in his 86th year. Beloved husband of 64 years to Laurene (nee Snell). Loving father of Don (Helen) Neal and Debbie (Gary) Collins. Proud grandpa of Kevin, Kyle, Chris (Jamie) Robinson, Sarah (Les) Deruiter, Kristy (Ryan) Conroy. Great-grandpa of Christian, Ainsley, Tess, Lorelei, Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Predeceased by his parents Edna and Wellington Neal. Dear brother of the late Doris (late Harold) Thompson, late Jim (Elsie) Neal, late Len (Sheila) Neal. Don was a Korea Vet, he retired from 2RCHA after 19 years of service, he retired from Algoma Steel after 25-year service, Security Guard at City Hall with the Corp of Commissionaires for 9 years. He also enjoyed being a District Cub Master in Oromocto, NB, coached Minor League Hockey in Hemer, Germany, taught Range with Sea Cadets in SSM, CO of Army Cadets in Sault Ste. Marie, member of Davey Jones, Naval Association, Legion, Heart Support Group, Bowler, Korea Veterans Association, President of the Navy League of Canada, Sault Branch. Family and friends are invited to visit at ARTHUR FUNERAL HOME - Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. with a Funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 4 p.m. A private interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to ARCH or charity of your choice would be appreciated. Many thanks for the loving care from the nurses and Peter of 2A at the Sault Area Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will remember them. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion are requested to assemble at the ARTHUR FUNERAL HOME – BARTON & KITELEY CHAPEL on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 3:45 pm for a memorial service for the late Donald Neal.

Soo Today Obituary:

Peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, March 26, 2018 in his 86th year. Beloved husband of 64 years to Laurene (nee Snell). Loving father of Don (Helen) Neal and Debbie (Gary) Collins. Proud grandpa of Kevin, Kyle, Chris (Jamie) Robinson, Sarah (Les) Deruiter, Kristy (Ryan) Conroy. Great grandpa of Christian, Ainsley, Tess, Lorelei, Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Predeceased by his parents Edna and Wellington Neal. Dear brother of the late Doris (late Harold) Thompson, late Jim (Elsie) Neal, late Len (Sheila) Neal. Don was a Korea Vet, he retired from 2RCHA after 19 years of service, he retired from Algoma Steel after 25-year service, Security Guard at City Hall with the Corp of Commissionaires for 9 years. He also enjoyed being a District Cub Master in Oromocto, NB, Coached Minor League Hockey in Hemer, Germany, taught Range with Sea Cadets in SSM, CO of Army Cadets in Sault Ste. Marie, member of Davey Jones, Naval Association, Legion, Heart Support Group, Bowler, Korea Veterans Association, President of the Navy League of Canada, Sault Branch. Family and friends are invited to visit at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm with a Funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 4 pm. A private interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to ARCH or charity of your choice would be appreciated. Many thanks for the loving care from the nurses and Peter of 2A at the Sault Area Hospital.

Tribute in the Sault Star to Don:

When Sault Ste. Marie Memorial Tower was rededicated to Korean War veterans in 2006, Don Neal was there.

The tower, just west of Essar Centre, went up in 1949 before the three-year war began and recognized city residents who died in the two world wars.

"We were not recognized," Neal told The Sault Star at the rededication ceremony. "We were shunted to the side when we came back home. But now it's different. Canada has recognized the Korean War. . . . The rededication of the tower, I think it's fantastic. It's still standing and I hope it stays for many, many more years."

Neal, one of the last members of the Korean Veterans Association in Sault Ste. Marie, died March 26 at Sault Area Hospital at age 85.

Neal was 18 when he began serving during the Korean War.

He was one of nine veterans to receive the Ambassador of Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea at a ceremony at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 in September 2012.

Two years earlier, Neal was in Ottawa to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

He appreciated the installation in 2010 of a plaque at Essar Centre noting the names of Sault Ste. Marie men who died during the war.

“I'm in love with this,” Neal told The Sault Star.

He is survived by his wife, Laurene, two children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Sunday at Arthur Funeral Home and Cremation Centre.

Several Korean veterans who live in the Sault have died in the last year including Jim Brawley, Larry Jollineau and Marland Smith.

Don Neal CD

April 18, 1932 – March 26, 2018

Just a little letter

I wanted to say

Everything is fine

And I got here ok.

I made it to heaven

This place is really great.

Family came to greet me

They were waiting by the gate.

I am young again

No illness and no pain,

Things I could not do on earth

I can now do again.

This place is so beautiful

I feel like I’ve come home

There are waterfalls and flowers

And green fields where I roam.

Please don’t worry about me

For I am in Gods care

And when the time is right,

I will meet you here.

Enjoy the life you have

Cherish every single day

Just wanted you to know

I got here ok.

* * * * * * * * * *

NEAL, Donald Wellington C.D. – Peacefully at the Sault Area Hospital on Monday, March 26, 2018 in his 86th year. Beloved husband of 64 years to Laurene (nee Snell). Loving father of Don (Helen) Neal and Debbie (Gary) Collins. Proud grandpa of Kevin, Kyle, Chris (Jamie) Robinson, Sarah (Les) Deruiter, Kristy (Ryan) Conroy. Great grandpa of Christian, Ainsley, Tess, Lorelei, Delilah, Sydney and Logan. Predeceased by his parents Edna and Wellington Neal. Dear brother of the late Doris (late Harold) Thompson, late Jim (Elsie) Neal, late Len (Sheila) Neal. Don was a Korea Vet, he retired from 2RCHA after 19 years of service, he retired from Algoma Steel after 25 year service, Security Guard at City Hall with the Corp of Commissionaires for 9 years. He also enjoyed being a District Cub Master in Oromocto, NB, Coached Minor League Hockey in Hemer Germany, taught Range with Sea Cadets in SSM, C.O. of Army Cadets in Sault Ste. Marie, a member of Davey Jones Naval Association, Royal Canadian Legion, Heart Support Group, an avid bowler, member of the Korea Veterans Association, President of the Navy League of Canada, Sault Branch. Family and friends are invited to visit at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm with a Funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 4 pm. A private interment at Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to ARCH or charity of your choice would be appreciated. Many thanks for the loving care from the nurses and Peter of 2A at the Sault Area Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com

At the going down of the sun

And in the morning

We will remember them.

Members of the Royal Canadian Legion are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 3:45 pm for a memorial service for the late Donald Neal.