DONALD GRANT FORTNEY

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DONALD GRANT FORTNEY Peacefully, after a long battle with cancer, Donald Grant Fortney passed away at the Poseidon Care Home on August 26, 2012. Don will be sadly missed by his long time companion, Helen Tognet, and her daughters Pat and Lynn; his sister-in-law Eleanor Fortney, brother-in-law Ron Ralston, his goddaughter Jackie, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Also missing him are his many friends at 97 Keewatin where he resided for so many years. He was predeceased by his wife, Doris (nee Dawson); parents, Joe and Marie Fortney, brothers Ed, Allan and Joe; his sister Jennette; sisters-in-law Pat and Vera; nephew Robbie, and niece Shelley. Don was born August 10, 1930 in Woodroyd, Manitoba, where he spent his early years. His working life included a time in the Air Force, and employment with several companies, including General Electric, Union Carbide, and lastly the Salvation Army. Don met his wife Doris though mutual friends and they were married on October 14, 1961, and were happy together until her sudden passing in 1978. Don was very much a creature of habit and could be found every morning at the crack of dawn walking in Kildonan Park, regardless of the weather. He was always willing to offer his friends a ride to their appointments or to shopping. Don spent much of his time in his healthier days at Assiniboia Downs. Like his father and his brothers, Joe and Allan, and his uncle Paul, he was an avid fan of horseracing and loved to watch the ponies run. He enjoyed cashing in his many winning tickets as well. You could always find him in front of the grandstand, close to the finish line. If our family went to the races, it was always Lets find Uncle Don! Uncle Don faced his final illness with great courage, and was a favourite of the nursing staff at Poseidon, especially Marie, Susan, Leslie, Susan, and Juliana, who always fondly called him Papa . He fondly referred to them as my girls . The family would like to extend our thanks to them and the nurse's aides for their wonderful care during the last few months of his life. You truly are angels that walk on earth. Don's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 29, at the Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street at 11:00 a.m. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in Don's memory can be sent to CancerCare Manitoba. High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air.... Up, up the long, delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or ever eagle flew - And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 28, 2012