He didn’t know I was going to visit and I was greeted with a big smile and told which chair to sit in – which was the most comfortable according to Don. He keeps an immaculate home and only recently has had some outside help and still prepares his own meals. He quit driving at 96 which was his choice.
On June 18th he will celebrate his 98th Birthday which I don’t know for certain, but I think that would make him the oldest resident in The Gallery.
A man who doesn’t like any fuss, he will observe the day going through it as any other. Reading, spending some time in the lobby chatting with all who he meets up with and sharing his wonderful sense of humour. He has a golf game scheduled with son Tony who lives on the same floor as he does. He told me this year if his ball goes in the sand trap he’s going to let Tony go and get it. Before moving to The Gallery, he lived across the road from the Club at North Halton and was a member for 60 years.
He has a tremendous memory for dates pertaining to his life. He was born in Picton and started working for the Bank of Commerce after graduation. He was transferred to Georgetown in 1947 and except for a brief time in Hamilton has been here ever since. He remained in the banking business for his entire career. It was in Georgetown where he met his wife Mary who also worked for the bank. They were married for 62 years and Don said with that grin on his face “she got a prize and hung onto it”.
He said the bank has been very good to him providing a nice monthly pension. He said he has told his kids to just keep him propped up in a chair after he passes so the pension will continue to arrive. He leaned in and said “you know if you don’t tell them that you’ve died, they will never know”. Of course that was followed with a good chuckle.
I asked if there was longevity in his family – he replied "no" and he said he has been fortunate to not experience any trauma in his life. He has never spent a night in the hospital and feels well.
On nice days he will walk down Halton Hills Drive to Maple Avenue. Always wearing his yellow hat. He said that if he falls in the ditch, son Tony will be able to find him by looking for the yellow hat.
Just before dinner every day he will ride his stationary bicycle and then said sometimes when he is eating, he will wonder if he rode the bike or not – 😁
He is very proud of his family and I am sure they are just as proud of him. We can all wish to age as wonderfully as he has.
I wish you many more years of good health Don and NEVER loose that sense of humour!
Gloria