Obituary of Donald Cameron Day

Donald Cameron Day passed away in Coronation on March 28, 2013 at the age of 92. Donald was born to Dr. Arthur and Alma Day (nee Goettsch) in Consort on December 25, 1920. These were good times in Consort. The region was growing prosperous and his father’s practice and farm kept the young family busy. As children, he and his sisters were encouraged to have pets and have projects that would put spending money in their pockets. There were always chores to do and of course homework but as the years turned into the dirty thirties, the tone of the area changed to one of drought and desperation. Donald was later able to recall the drought years with complete clarity and it was those years that had the greatest impact on him. Donald’s schooling was taken in Consort at the Consolidated High School and because medicine was the family business, he was encouraged by his father to become a doctor. He spent three years attending the University of Alberta but when war broke out, he enlisted with the Air Force and went overseas. War changes men. Donald never revealed much of those years but when he returned he had decided that he didn’t want to be a doctor, that he was content to stay home, and that never wanted to taste lamb again. He joined his father in the management of the family farm and it was at a dance in 1948 that he met Betty Barber and asked her to dance. Betty had moved out to Consort to help her family and after a short courtship they were married in Calgary and returned to Consort to make their home on the family farm on the North West corner of Consort. Donald’s special interests were ranching, hockey and ball – sometimes ranching, ball and hockey but ranching was his passion. In the late 40’s the farm purchased the Tweed and George McConnell Ranch and extended its land base. It was during 60’s and 70’s that he participated in the silage crews which cut silage for the Doug and Donnie Fawcett and Ervin and Clark Fawcett along with Gavin Simkin. He could be depended upon to help others harvest during hard times and was instrumental in fundraising for the original Consort Arena that burned down. He and his hired men canvassed the area and shoveled many bushels of wheat to make that arena a reality. Family life was centered around ranching and sports. The boys grew up riding horses, working with cattle and with machinery. The day that Donald found out he was going to be a grandfather, he spent the afternoon oiling up the child’s saddle in the barn. Donald encouraged his boy’s interest in hockey and ball and the local neighborhood kids will recall the home made rink constructed yearly in the garden outside their house. Donald helped coach and transport teams and was always keenly interested in the teams his boys played on. Later when his grandchildren were born, he could be seen at every home game and he could be counted upon to attend Junior and Senior games as long as his health permitted. He cheered for Bobby Hull and the Blackhawks in the early years and was a true Oiler fan even in the bad years. The lockout this last year was particularly hard on him. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of sixty-four years, Betty; son Bill (Holly); grandsons Daniel (Carley), Kevin (Emily Kane), Scott (Tiffany Bird); great grandchildren Hailey and Zachary. Donald was predeceased by his parents Dr. Arthur and Alma, son Donnie, sisters Helen (Bill Ferguson) and Janet (Gordon Rogers).