Obituaries

Donald Frederick Seymour passed away on Thursday, July 13th, 2023 at 85 years old.

Don was born on the 16th of May 1938 in Campbellford, Ontario. He was one of seven children to Cephias “Percy” Seymour and Edna Kehoe. After a difficult childhood as a foster child, he joined the army and proudly served with the 1st Canadian Guards regiment from 1956 until 1960. Don spoke fondly of his time in the army, and often told stories from that time accompanied by a wide grin.

Don met his life partner and best friend, Norma R. Seymour (née Eady), in February of 1959 and married the following year on the 14th of May 1960. Over the next 10 years, Don and Norma had four children and relocated their family to Grande Prairie, Alberta in 1980.

In 1984, Don obtained his pilot's license and later became part of the Search & Rescue association. Aviation was one of his most favourite activities. In March of 2006, Don and Norma bought an old, rundown shack in Hines Creek, Alberta and spent the next several years renovating it into a comfortable home for retirement. Don was industrious and remarkably good at working with his hands, able to fix just about anything. It was a skill that his grandsons admired especially and looked up to. There, he also served on Hines Creek’s town council and was part of its volunteer fire department.

Don was a loving husband, a caring father, and revered by his many grandchildren. He had a great sense of humour, delighted in sharing stories and laughter with his loved ones. He was also a man of integrity, one you could depend on to always offer a helping hand. He spoke his mind freely, and did not suffer fools gladly. He was remarkably proud of his family, and likewise, his family was proud of him, too.

Don is predeceased by his eldest son Donald Roy and survived by his loving wife Norma Seymour; his children Ivan Seymour, Karen (Gilles Martin) Seymour, and Alana (Scott) Young; his brother, Bill, and sister, Sharon; his foster mother, Sylvia Palmateer, and foster sister, Betty Palmateer; his grandchildren Nathaniel (Chelsey Crowe) Martin, Katherine Martin, Matthew Martin, Stephen Young, Brandon (Vanessa) Young, Leah (Izaak) Koolman, Richelle (Rody Loucks) Young, and Beth Seymour; and six great grandchildren, the latest of which is Gwendolyn Dawn Martin, his namesake.

Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home 780-830-7742 bearcreekfuneral.com