Obituary for Donald Russell Beckett
BECKETT, Donald Russell (PEng)
Queen’s University Sc ’45 (Civil Engineering)
Carleton University BSc ’60 (Geology)
Royal Canadian Engineers, 2nd Lieutenant
Passed away peacefully in the company of family at Kingston General Hospital on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the age of 98.
Beloved husband of 60 years to the late Marion Beckett (nee Cameron, Arts ’49). Loving father of the late Don (Kathy Warner), Ken (Tracey Beckett), Geoff (Fatima Tavares) and Lynn (Doug Kennedy). Adoring Poppie to Chloe, Cameron, Chelsea, Kate, Scott and Robin and Grandpoppie to Penelope and Delilah. Dear brother of the late Doug Beckett and cherished uncle to numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Following Don’s extensive career as a civil engineer - which had taken them across Canada, to the far north and overseas - in 1986 he and Marion chose Kingston, home of their university Alma Mater, as their retirement destination. An avid outdoorsman and life-long learner, Don immersed himself in many Kingston community involvements including CORK (Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston), the Committee of Adjustment, lecturing at Queen’s University’s school of engineering and acting for many years as Advisor to the Queen’s University Solar Car Team.
Don’s family wish to express their sincere gratitude to the members of the Kidd 3 Vascular Unit and KGH Palliative Care Team for the compassionate care and attention Don received in his final days and also to Don and Marion’s extraordinary family physician, Dr. Carol White. As well, special mention must be made of the outstanding kindness and dedication of the administrative and care staff at Helen Henderson Retirement Residence in Amherstview, Don’s home for the past six years.
In accordance with his wishes, Don has been cremated and will be returned to the winds, waters and wilds of his treasured north shore region of Lake Superior where his boyhood days were spent in Cameron Falls and Fort William (now Thunder Bay). The family will hold a Celebration of Life later this summer at a date to be determined. Expressions of sympathy in Don’s memory may be made to The Canadian Wildlife Federation, CNIB Foundation (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) or Able Sail Kingston.
Queen’s University Sc ’45 (Civil Engineering)
Carleton University BSc ’60 (Geology)
Royal Canadian Engineers, 2nd Lieutenant
Passed away peacefully in the company of family at Kingston General Hospital on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the age of 98.
Beloved husband of 60 years to the late Marion Beckett (nee Cameron, Arts ’49). Loving father of the late Don (Kathy Warner), Ken (Tracey Beckett), Geoff (Fatima Tavares) and Lynn (Doug Kennedy). Adoring Poppie to Chloe, Cameron, Chelsea, Kate, Scott and Robin and Grandpoppie to Penelope and Delilah. Dear brother of the late Doug Beckett and cherished uncle to numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Following Don’s extensive career as a civil engineer - which had taken them across Canada, to the far north and overseas - in 1986 he and Marion chose Kingston, home of their university Alma Mater, as their retirement destination. An avid outdoorsman and life-long learner, Don immersed himself in many Kingston community involvements including CORK (Canadian Olympic Regatta Kingston), the Committee of Adjustment, lecturing at Queen’s University’s school of engineering and acting for many years as Advisor to the Queen’s University Solar Car Team.
Don’s family wish to express their sincere gratitude to the members of the Kidd 3 Vascular Unit and KGH Palliative Care Team for the compassionate care and attention Don received in his final days and also to Don and Marion’s extraordinary family physician, Dr. Carol White. As well, special mention must be made of the outstanding kindness and dedication of the administrative and care staff at Helen Henderson Retirement Residence in Amherstview, Don’s home for the past six years.
In accordance with his wishes, Don has been cremated and will be returned to the winds, waters and wilds of his treasured north shore region of Lake Superior where his boyhood days were spent in Cameron Falls and Fort William (now Thunder Bay). The family will hold a Celebration of Life later this summer at a date to be determined. Expressions of sympathy in Don’s memory may be made to The Canadian Wildlife Federation, CNIB Foundation (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) or Able Sail Kingston.