My friend Susie's father passed away from Leukemia recently. From first diagnosis, it was less than a month, most of it spent in the hospital.
I attended Mr. King's funeral on Friday. Susie gave a moving eulogy and did a very good job of it considering how difficult a time it must be; Susie is a woman of surprising strengths.
Don King led a full and complete life. Lovely daughters, a long marriage, lovely grandchildren, service to his community and country (former RCMP officer, former business owner, former mayor of Picton), service to various charitable groups (the Royal Canadian Legion, the Kinsmen, more Masonic chapters than you can imagine including the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, the Blue Lodge, Preceptories (several), the Royal Arch, the Shrine, and the Knights Templar), and generally being a man well-known throughout Picton and Prince Edward County for integrity and compassion, as well as for a quirky sense of humour.
Don was among the foremost Masons in the world - having held a list of offices as long as your arm and having been included in elite groups of as few as 40, then 8, then 2 as his service continued. His contributions to Masonry have led the Masons to enshrine records of his efforts in their archives and to create an official memorial for his work. Safe journey Eastward, Brother.
Don was the sort of man you didn't ignore - he had very high standards and was fairly stern with his kids. But he had a sense of humour about life and passed on many great lessons. I learned a lot about Don from the people who gave his eulogies but I learned more about Don from having known Susie for many years.
For Susie, her sisters, her mother, and the rest of the extended King family - my condolences and heartfelt sympathies extend. For Don, I hope that he was right about what he believed in, for he did believe and he lived his beliefs. God rest his soul.
The world is a poorer place for his passing, but a greater place for his living.
Don's Death Notice
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