May 29, 1927 - June 16, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald James Hislop in Courtenay Care Home on June 16, 2021.
Don was born in Watrous, Saskatchewan May 29, 1927 to William and Etta May Hislop.
During wartime, brothers Maurice and Gordon joined the army, leaving Etta May and Don back home on the family farm to look after their ailing father William and to maintain the farm.
After the war had ended Don travelled to BC to visit his sister Margaret in Youbou. It was there that his career in the forest industry began, however Don was still footloose and fancy free and bounced between many different occupations ranging from farming in Creston Valley to picking fruit before returning to Youbou sawmill.
It was about 1950 when Don had an unfortunate serious accident with a gang saw which nearly bled poor Don to death. During his recovery, he met a young woman named Grace who later he married and they remained together for nearly 70 years up until his passing.
Don is survived by wife Grace, sons Randy, Neil, and Scott, daughters Karen and Wanda, as well as numerous grandchildren and extended family.
Don loved to play his harmonica, sing, whistle and music in general. As well he enjoyed good poetry such as Robert Service's Sam McGhee.
Gardening was another of Don's passions along with ham radio. He was a Double A Ticketed first aid person who also was an avid hunter, one of his prize possessions was a set of elk antlers which were retrieved during a hunting trip in the Nitinat Valley.
He was so proud of them in fact that they followed him as he moved around from Nininat to Youbou, to Denman Island where for some reason they suddenly vanished for some unknown reason.
Don was a quiet calm person whom many others appreciated and were fond of.
Don will be sadly missed by all!