Donald Arthur Greff

It is with deep sorrow we announce the sudden passing of Donald Greff. Don was born 28 Nov 1953 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

Predeceased by his father George Greff and mother Marie Greff. Survived by his sister Sandra and brother Steven.

Don grew up in an Air Force family and spent part of his childhood living in England, France and Germany. He travelled to numerous European countries. He also lived in many provinces in Canada.

He started at McGill University in Montreal in 1973 and received his BA degree in Urban Systems Geography in 1976. He then studied Environmental Design Architecture for a time at the University of Calgary. He worked briefly for the City of Calgary.

He moved to Vancouver, BC in the early 80’s and fell in love with the ocean, mountains, beaches and lifestyle. He enjoyed travelling and new experiences.

He took an extended trip to Australia where he picked grapes for some extra cash. He then went on to experience some Asian Pacific countries.

He explored various kinds of employment. He worked as a draftsman for an architect friend and carpentry and set design for the film and TV industry in Vancouver. He was an extra in the X-Files and a couple of movies. He was a set designer on Cold Squad, Robson Arms and Chesapeake Shores. He also worked in other film and TV productions in the set design and carpentry field. He worked for friends and businesses doing carpentry, landscaping, painting and renovating. He picked cranberries. He designed and tie-dyed T-shirts for years which he sold on Wreck Beach in Vancouver. He was known as T-shirt Don. Don was self-employed and was willing to try anything and he was continuously learning and upgrading his computer skills for set design. He was always working.

Don loved the outdoors, camping, visiting hot springs, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, the beach and the ocean. He had a passionate interest in photography and for years developed his own pictures. He was knowledgeable in architecture, archaeology and history.

Don was a “people” person and had many friends. He always showed an interest in people by talking to someone he did not know. Don was a free spirit, artistic, creative, kind, sensitive, independent and proud. He lived life on his own terms and in his own way. Experiences were important to Don.

Don will be greatly missed by his sister and brother and all the friends he made over the years. This includes his “Wreck Beach” family and all friends that made him part of their family.

A gathering with friends to celebrate Don will be held in Vancouver. Date unknown yet. Don will be united with his parents sometime in the spring in Courtenay.