Passed away at his residence in Exeter, ON on September 29, 2021 at the age of 77. Don was born in Sackville, New Brunswick in 1944 to parents Capt R.Doug (2005) and Kay McCallum (1969) and loved by step Mom Muriel McCallum (2013).
Don spent most of his younger years travelling from airbase to airbase, and Province to Province until deciding Exeter was his home. In 1967 he met his wife Lois (Nielson) at a dance in Dashwood and they married in 1971. All history now. Don loved the outdoors especially the Bruce Trail which reminded him of home. Climbing many mountains, canoeing many lakes and snowshoeing and hiking many trails with his life partner.
He sadly leaves behind his loving wife Lois of Exeter, sister Judy (Bob) Law, and Bet Brock, both of B.C, his brother and BFF Rob McCallum of N.B and brother-in-law Karl Nielson (Laura) of South Carolina. Predeceased by sister-in-law Cheryl (Garnet) Eden (2018), and brother-in-law Rick (Charmaine) Nielson (2004).
Don will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews and his godchildren Kate and Chris.
Special affection for Tracy and Brent who gave the family such joy in the younger years. The family extends a great thank you to the many friends and family who assisted them on their journey. A very special thank you to Dr. Patel, Dr. Thomas, Dr. Lenehan and Cassie Parsons.
Following Don’s wishes cremation has taken place. A private family graveside will be held at the Exeter Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Haskett Funeral Home, Exeter (519-235-1220).
Donations to the Royal Canadian Legion – R. E. Pooley Branch 167, Exeter or the Bruce Trail Conservancy would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Joanne Moore
Dear Lois and family
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We have so many wonderful memories of our times with the two of you. His friendly big smile, infectious laugh and sense of humor will be missed by all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Big hug
Jo Moore-McGhee and Gerry McGhee
Doug and Patty Webber
Lois and family, so sorry to hear about the loss of Donnie. He was a special guy to many of his family and friends. Hugs to my nursing co-worker.
Susan Lee
Lois, I am saddened to hear of Don’s passing .I always enjoyed his dry sense of humour.Be thankful for all the great memories you have .You are in my thoughts. Keep busy .It helps Regards Susan Lee(Sturdevant)
Pat Stapleton
Dear Lois
So sorry for the loss of your loving husband Don.
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad and difficult time.
Pat Stapleton
Al and Nancy Quinn
Lois..Al and I where so sorry to hear of Skunks passing. He was one of a kind. Keep his memories close. ❤️ Al and Nancy Quinn
Mary Boyle
Lois and family
Thinking of you at this sad time.
Our thoughts are with you
Sincerely
Frank and Mary Boyle
Marion Jeffery
Dear Lois,
Sending you my deepest sympathies. I’ve watched you and Don walk by a few times and you have been on my mind.
Wishing you strength and comfort as you go through these difficult times.
Marion Jeffery (Snow).
Cheryl Kee
Lois
I was so saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I have always enjoyed seeing the photos you post on Facebook of your hikes, your family gatherings & your memory photos of when you guys were much younger. I have never forgot what a pleasure it was to work with you as a nurse at LHSC. I hope that you are drawing comfort from your family & friends at this time of loss. Your photos of Don showed the life you both loved.
Lorri Hogervorst
Dear Lois
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My deepest condolences at such a sad time..
Hold all the beautiful memories close to your heart.
Lorri Hogervorst
MARTIN B KELDERS
Lois, so sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family
Martin@Debbie Kelders.
Tracy Gaunt
Dear Lois,
We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was an amazing man and always had time for a quick chat whenever we walked by your trailer. We will miss his infectious smile and genuine soul. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Sending virtual hugs. Bill, Tracy & Tara Gaunt
Glenn and Pat Pilgrim
So sorry to hear about the loss of Donny. I will remember Donny as easy going and quick with a joke. His dry sense of humour was apparent in any conversation. My deepest sympathy to Lois and family
Bill and Linda Farquhar
Lois and family
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Donnie was a great guy who will be missed. We have many great memories of him through the years, and will always think of him with a smile!
Bill and Linda
Brenda Ryan
Our deepest sympathies Lois during this extremely difficult time. Rick and I have so many fond memories of all our get together’s with you and Donnie. We will miss his infectious smile and quick wit. Sending hugs Rick and Brenda Ryan
Deborah Elliott
Lois I am so sorry for your massive loss; your best friend, your partner, your love. Sending you love and prayers.
Love Deb & Ky
Reiny & Lynda Freiter
Lois
Deepest sympathies. Cherish the many memories. I had a lot of good times with Skunk. A fun guy to be around.
You are in our thoughts.
Reiny & Lynda
DAVE UTTLEY
Dear Lois..It is with great sadness to hear of Don’s passing . We know how much you loved him and will miss him . We have some good memories of him up at the lake and you have So ,so many. Cherish each and every one of them and just know that Many people are thinking about you and praying for you and the Family at this time. Dave and I are sending a Great Big Hug to wrap around you and Angels to guide you through . Stay strong as THIS is how we’ve known you to be. Love Always. xoxo
Mike Coughlin
Dear Lois, we’re so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Many great memories of Don at the Regiers 💕. Our deepest condolences. Love Red and Michael Coughlin
Ken & Dianne Clarke
Lois & family, so sorry for your sad loss of Don/Skunk. May your special memories of times shared together comfort you in the difficult days ahead. Remembering Skunk with a smile & sending our deepest sympathy. Ken & Dianne Clarke
Tracy Adams (Dan, Victoria and William)
While my heart breaks for you Lois, I take comfort in all the wonderful memories that always make me smile. You have taught me well. Don could always add extra smiles to any moment, as Brothers do, and I’m so blessed to have you both in my life. Fate truly was watching out for me those many years ago bringing our paths together. I’m doubly blessed my children have known you and Don as well. Love to you always sis❤
Jim + Lorna Morrissey
Dear Lois, Sending our sincere sympathy at this difficult time. May your memories give you comfort.
Lawrence Stevens
Lois and family.
I was saddened to read of Don’s passing.
Everytime I met up with Don, I took great pleasure in joking with him. What a fantastic sense of humor. He will definately be missed by many.
Cathy Parsons
Dear Lois: my heartfelt sympathy to you. You have been a loyal caretaker for at least two of the men you loved (Rick, your brother) 💜 & now Don.
You are such a compassionate & loving person. Don was lucky to have you as his life partner. I hope good memories with him sustain you in the days ahead.
While I didn’t know him well, it is clear from other testimonials that Don was well liked by many.
Sending you love & light, Cathy Parsons 💜💜💜💜
nancy cornish
Lois I am so sad to hear of Don’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. Hugs.
Nancy Cornish
Brian & Pat Hicks
Dear Lois and McCallum Family
We send you our deepest sympathies and our Love at this very sad time. I will always cherish those many years I worked with Donnie, and the friendship that grew between the 4 of us. His great smile and huge laughter was loved by many. He was truly a great person!
Hugs
Brian & Pat
George & Helen Pratt
Lois, We are saddened at Don’s passing. Will miss him
Rest in peace Don.
Barb Eisenschink
Lois & family, my deepest condolences for you at this time, Don ( Mouse) was a great friend many years ago, I remember a lot of things that happened back then. He will be missed.
Terry Bourne
Lois & Don’s Family
What a great guy! Smart, witty, fun loving, a great prankster (his stealing a room mate’s bath water is a classic), and a great family man. I have many wonderful memories of my travels and shenanigans with Skunk back in the day. Times that will never be forgotten. I also remember how much Don changed when he started dating Lois – Lois, you were the best thing that ever happened to him! Deepest condolences from Shelley and myself – we have all lost a wonderful friend.
Marg Prout
Sorry to read of Don ‘s passing. Cherish all your wonderful memories and may they
bring you peace and comfort now and in the days to come.
Kelly Holtzmann
Lois
So sorry to hear about “Ears”. He always made me laugh.
“Web foots” daughter
Molly Brintnell
Dear Lois
So very sad to hear of Donnie’s passing.
I’m so thankful for the visit we shared a few weeks ago, we had some laughs and tears.
I will always cherish the memories of all the good times we had together and there were many.
My heart breaks for you Lois as I know how much you will miss Donnie. He was a very special man to you and everyone who knew him.
You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Thank you Lois and Donnie for our friendship.
Love and Hugs,
Molly Brintnell
Jane Broderick & Barry Gatey
Lois, very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I know he was a good friend to all. Cherish the good times.
Brenda and Dave Palsa
Lois – our condolences on Don’s passing – a true gentleman always with a great big smile – our thoughts are with you
Wendy and Mike Hawrylo
Sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ross and Marlene Maters
Dear Lois: Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Don. I always shared leapyear with Don and have many good memories of our get togethers. Don was a great guy . Our memories will last forever.
Brent Bell
Lois,
My condolences to you, Don was a great man with a huge heart and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of his life and yours as well. You both were there at an important time in my life and I will never forget that.
Doug Coward and Tammy Hern
Sending love your way, Lois. Many great memories with you and Pilot at “Bill and Izzy’s”.
Pilot was a great man and great friend to the Coward family. Thinking of you.
Glenn & Laura Stire
We are sorry to hear of Don’s passing. You are in our thoughts at this time.
Cy & Eleanor Blommaert
Our deepest sympathy Lois.
Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Cy & Eleanor
Ron & Glenda Lindenfield
Dear Lois
Our Sincere Condolences, Be strong he wouldn’t want it any other way, take care ……
Ron and Glenda Lindenfield
John Pryde & Marilyn Chappel
Lois & family: Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of a great guy! Don will be really missed. RIP Skunk!
Sncerely, John Pryde/Marliyn Chappel
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
Lois: So sorry to learn of Don’s passing. Glad I was able able to visit with the both of you at Sprey Lake. I have a lot of memories of Don in my past and I hope your memories bring you comfort in the future.
Fran Ritchie
Lois and Donnies family we are sorry for your loss. I know there is a reservation waiting. Love Fran Ritchie and all my kids.
Kelly Haines
Lois,
I’m so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. So many great memories growing up of you & Don with my parents, especially those Halloween parties. Mom is so thankful she was able to have a nice visit with you both. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Kelly Haines & Family
Judy Palsa
Lois
Sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Judy and Ron Pickering
Joan Finkbeiner
Lois sorry to hear of Don passing. My condolences to you. Skunk will be missed at the legion. There was a lot of good times from Friday night meat draws and the euchre bus trips to different legions every year. Cherish all the good times.
Joan Finkbeiner
Dave and Karin Roger
Dear Lois
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We worked with Don for many years.Our deepest sympathy to you.
Dave and Karin.
John and Joyce Morgan
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Hugs John and Joyce
Larry Jory
I never had the opportunity to meet you., but Mouse and I shared some fun times. He was one of the good ones. Condolences to You and family. Rest easy old son. Larry Jory.
Yvonne/Jim Barnetson
Dear Lois our thoughts and prayers are with you and family!
He was such a great guy! I am sure you will have a lot of beautiful memories!
RIP Don!🙏
Piotr Stachurski
Lois & family,
So sorry for your loss, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. The Maver and Stachurski family.
Bev and Marg
Lois
Fond memories . What fun we had with you and pilot
Norma Khan
Lois’,
I am saddened to learn of Don’s passing. My deepest condolences . He was special. Memories are wonderful.
Keep them close.
Rest peacefully Donnie.
Norma
Tom, Tracy Humphreys and family
Lois
So sorry to hear of Don’s Passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Tom, Tracy Humphreys and family
Linda and Dan
Our sincere condences Lois. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda and Dan Crerar
Judy (Young) Damjanov)
Dear Lois I am sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing, the suffering is now over and he can rest. I will keep you in my prayers.
Mary Higgs
Lois
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Hold unto your wonderful memories.
Mary
Laura Dixon
I am so sorry to learn of Don’s passing, he had a great sense of humor and a laid back personality. My deepest sympathy to Lois and the McCallum family
Laura (MacMillan) Dixon
Chris & Peter Moore
Lois
Hold onto your memories….. hold onto every moment and keep him close.
Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with you during this time.
Chris & Peter Moore
🤗
Jamie, Danielle, Mackenzie and Erin Oke
Lois
Our condolences to you during this time. We have always remembered our talks at the end of the driveway when we used to live across the street. Don was good to chat with and discuss the days events and relate them to the good old days. We always had a good laugh doing so. Cherish the memories.
Chuck & Pam Ross
Lois, we were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We’re thinking of you.
Barb and Pudgy
Lois,
So very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Keep all of those wonderful memories close to your heart.
Terry Haugh
Deepest Sympathy
Don and I worked together for many years at Exeter Roofing . We had alot of laughs and fun while working together .
Rest In Peace to a Special Friend .
Terry and Janice
Steve & Sue Cooper
Lois,
Our sincerest condolences to you and the family.
There are many fond memories of Don over the years.
We hope that they bring you comfort through this difficult time.
Debbie Crown
Lois
So sorry to read this sad news. My thoughts are with you.
Smith Rick
Our deepest sympathy to you Lois and families in your loss. Always cherish those great memories. Skunk will be greatly missed
Rick and Glenda
Ron and Marlene Moore
Dear Lois , Thinking of you and sending our deepest sympathy . We have been friends for many , many years ! We will remember Don’s big smile and how he always made us laugh . He was a kind. wonderful person . Prayers during this sad time Ron and Mar
jack triebner
SORRY LOIS ABOUT THE LOSS OF DON , KNOWN HIM FOR MANY YEARS
OUR CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE MC CALLUM FAMILY
FROM BETTY BLUE AND JACK TRIEBNER
Judy
Dear Lois,
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I remember him as a happy, funny guy. May God give you peace and comfort.
Most sincerely, Judy (Jory) Hayward
Richard and Wendy
Lois,
We are saddened to hear of Don’s passing. His easy smile , his humour , his ability to take a joke and dish it right back at you , we’ll miss that !! I was very fortunate to be able to work with Don up till his retirement and learned how to be a better person from this modest and jovial soul. Thank you for sharing him with us. You are in our thoughts and prayers , we’ll miss him.
Don & Joan Heywood
Lois:
So sorry to read of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Cherish the wonderful memories that are close to your heart. Hugs Don & Joan
Lloyd and Carol Moore
Our deepest sympathy Lois and thinking of you at this difficult time. Great memories of Don through the years from the time he lived at mom and dads until now.
Lorne & Pat Ballabtybe
We are sorry to hear of Don’s death. Our deepest sympathy to you.
Jacqui & Charlie Regier
Dear Lois, we are so sad to hear about Don , and thankful for our great visit that afternoon, We are thinking about all the fun times we had together , the laughs, the dancing ,and we have lots of pictures to prove it . His suffering is over and he would not want us to be sad , but to remember all the good times, because there are so many! We are thinking of you and your family with love. We are here to talk and share wonderful memories when ever you want . With our Love & Sympathy for a wonderful Man…. love Jacqui & Charlie
Bill Reid
Lois, sorry for your loss . He was a great man. The stories and the laughs are forever embedded in my memory .
Mel and Kathy Winger
Sorry to hear of Don,s passing, our sincere condolences to Lois and the family
Kim Haverkamp
Lois,
My sincere condolences to you with the passing of Don. Thinking and praying for you during this very difficult time. He was such a nice man and always had time for a chat when I ran into him.
Bev Branderhorst
Lois my deepest condolences to you. Donny was a great man and will be missed by many❤️
Shannon Dougherty
Lois,
We’re so sorry to hear of Don’s passing.
Sincere condolences from the Dougherty family.
Wendi Schwindt
Dear Lois…so, so very sorry to hear about Don. You had a special and amazing relationship which many envy. Big hugs!
Ralph & Denise Batten
Our condolences on Don/ Skunks passing. Many fond memories over the years at the Legion. He will be missed by many.
Ralph & Denise
Tony & Alma Dayman
Lois & family,
Sorry for your loss, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
June Moore
Dear Lois
Hearing of Donnie’s passing brings me great sadness. Such good times, so many Christmases, Elimination draws, sharing our laughter.
My very deepest sympathy and love I send to you and his Family.