DONALD CAMERON CHASE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DONALD CAMERON CHASE August 27, 1937 - June 25, 2014 In the early hours of Wednesday, June 25, 2014 our Dad and Poppa passed away at St. Boniface Hospital with his children and special friend at his side. He had fought a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Meota, Saskatchewan to Edward and Blanche Chase, Don was the youngest of six children. His parents and siblings, George Chase, Maude Steele and Dave Chase predeceased him, as did his mother-in-law, Dorothy Venier. Don was employed by McLeods, BelMac Supply and Beaver Lumber before starting his first business - Chimo Building Centre at 2634 Pembina Hwy., which later became Windsor Plywood. From there he went on to a business partnership at Western Retail Interiors and then finally Action Retail Outfitters, where he continued to work until just last month. Along the way, he started a consulting company, DCMS Inc. and enjoyed mentoring many other budding entrepreneurs. Don had a passion for business, merchandising and making win-win deals. He practiced honesty and integrity always, and truly believed that people would always do the right thing ... as a result, they usually did. Don was also a big believer in giving back and often said that "you can't go through life with catcher's mitts on both hands". He was one of the original Junior Achievement facilitators and on the executive of the Kidney Foundation for many years. More recently, he has worked hard to keep St. Aidan's Christian School a viable and ongoing entity. He believed passionately in their mission to help inner-city, at risk, children receive support and a Christian based education. Don was a gifted tenor and absolutely loved singing... initially with his family, then in various choral groups, and for the last 15 years with St. Aidan's Anglican Church choir. He also loved his cottage at Long Bow Lake, Ontario, saying it was his "heaven on earth". He was so happy to know that the cottage would remain with his family after he was gone. He enjoyed golfing, particularly at the annual family reunion in Saskatchewan, and sailing at Long Bow Lake with his cronies, which often included some treachery on the high seas. Another source of hilarity were the quarterly "board meetings" held at Action Retail with his staff and associates that involved some small amounts of liquor, some major story-telling and designated drivers when it was time to go home. Most important though, was his family, and he truly was the glue in ours. He believed in Sunday dinners and being together, and so we were. We felt so blessed to have him home for another Father's Day this year. Don will be forever remembered and missed by his children: Kim, Kerri and Cam Chase; grandchildren: Reis Chase, Alix Kendall and Maclane Cardinal; brother Bryce Chase; sister Pat Thomson; sister-in-law Patsy Chase; special friend Joan Wiebe; and the mother of his children, Faye McAree; as well as many much loved nieces, nephews and friends-who-are-like-family. We would very much like to thank the doctors and staff of CancerCare and St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care for their compassionate and skilled care. You made it possible for our Dad and Poppa to stay with us far longer than anyone ever thought he could, and for that we are so grateful. A service and celebration of Don's life will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Aidan's Anglican Church on the corner of Kingsway Avenue and Campbell Street, to be followed by a time of fellowship and remembrances in the church hall. There will be no interment at this time. If you would like, donations in Don's name may be made to St. Aidan's Christian School at www.staidanswinnipeg.ca or St. Aidan's Christian School, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 27, 2014