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Donald John Royston
July 2, 1929 - November 6, 2023
Tribute
Donald John Royston July 2, 1929 – Nov 6, 2023
Don pictured here on his 94th birthday passed peacefully to be with his Frances (2019).
After a recent fall Don was compassionately cared for two weeks at the CDH.
Don was released for assisted living at Heritage Manor and was greeted on his arrival by a beautiful rainbow which he warmly welcomed.
Don walked into the front door with his dignity restored.
Don was old school, salt of the earth, trusted, kind, stubborn, witty, loyal and generous.
Known as “Farmer Don” or “Rhubarb Don” for sharing his bounty of vegetables from his garden with so many, for so many decades is truly remarkable.
Born in Lashburn, Saskatchewan the farming family moved to Saanichton, Brentwood Bay when he was twelve.
Don worked as a teen at the general store at the Brentwood Bay ferry.
He also worked in the Brentwood Bay boatyards and spent many years beach combing the Saanich Inlet.
Don then became a trusted employee at Standard furniture in Victoria where he met co-worker seamstress Frances Collins.
After an eight year courtship they were married and resided in Langford to begin their 54 years of marriage.
Don after being employed at the Graving Dock in Esquimalt retired and he and Frances purchased 2 acres in Cobble Hill where they would build their third new hobby farm home.
Enjoying six cruises, many trips abroad, rv-ing in Canada and the US was a great personal accomplishment.
Frances and Don enjoyed dancing and making many friends at the Valley Seniors in Duncan.
Don is mourned, loved, and missed by cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends far and wide as well as his three adopted cats, who adopted him.
A very grateful thank you to Tanya and staff at Heritage Manor who comforted and guided Don to be with Frances.
Special Thanks to Fr. Basil Royston for his spiritual guidance.
Frances and Don will be placed at Shawnigan Lake, BC cemetery in the spring of 2024.
Celebration to follow.
No service by request.
Thanks for the exceptional care provided by HW Wallace for Don as well as Frances in 2019.
A Peaceful passing by a Peaceful man.
Condolences
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From: Elizabeth Cox
Relation: Friend and neighbour
Don and Francis were indeed a special couple. Met them while he worked at the Graving Dock and yes, he was always sharing the abundance from his garden. When they built their new house on Atkins Road they made it possible for us to buy their former house on the property at a time when house purchases were almost out of reach. They enjoyed our three children not having children of their own and after moving to Cobble Hill we followed them to Mill Bay. We kept in contact with visits at Christmas and check-ins throughout the years! Happy they can be together again in paradise..
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
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