Donald Gilbert Garnett

With great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Donald Garnett. Don will be missed by his wife Margaret, his son Douglas (Nancy), grandchildren Ashley (Curtis), Sarah and Andrew, his sister Joyce, niece, nephews, extended family and a multitude of friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Christine. Don was known for his ever-present smile, love of adventure, his intelligence, kindness and gentlemanly demeanour.

Don was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and moved to Vancouver at age five. He was an excellent student, a valedictorian in high school and a graduate of UBC Commerce in 1958. After graduating, he took the reins of his family business, Coast Paper. Don successfully grew the company to operate across Canada. When Don became Chairman of the Board of Coast Paper, he transferred his energy to his community service, his athletic endeavours and travel adventures.

Don was a natural athlete. In his youth he played football, was a talented gymnast, an avid skier and a ski patroller in the early days of Mount Baker. With the UBC Varsity Outdoor club, he back-country skied in the Garibaldi Mt. area long before the Whistler ski area existed. Don eventually switched to cross-country skiing, which he continued to enjoy, skiing 34 times last winter. He was a skilled scuba diver, travelling around the world with his friends visiting remote dive sites. Don was an avid saltwater and fly fisherman and loved his fishing expeditions on the BC coast, Babine River and around the world.

He was happiest on his boat, initially a small 26’ motorboat, then on ever larger yachts, each named Aquarius. He captained the last Aquarius until very recently. He used his diving experience and his yacht to collect samples and facilitate research with the Vancouver Aquarium. Don served as governor on the board of the Vancouver Aquarium from 1986 to 1998 and remained a patron of the Aquarium. Don was an enthusiastic member of the West Vancouver and Royal Vancouver Yacht Clubs and particularly enjoyed the RVYC Cortez Island outstation.

While Don loved spending time in the mountains and islands of BC, at his cabin on West Lake and in Hawaii, he was a world traveller at heart. He kept a tally of the countries he visited, reaching 134 different countries. He was a connoisseur of fine wine, cars and indigenous art.

A funeral service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, July 24, at West Vancouver United Church. Don’s memory would be honoured by donations made to the Ocean Wise Conservation Association.