Donald John McRae

1945 - 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donald John McRae, loving husband, father, grandfather & great-grandfather. He passed peacefully in his sleep on May 1st, 2022.

Don was born in 1945 in Dauphin MB, where his father, while conducting training on the Lancaster Bomber, was stationed with the RCAF. Shortly thereafter his mother moved them to Port Arthur, once his father went overseas to support the war effort.

He attended Oliver Road Public School, Hillcrest High School and, lastly, MIT in Toronto for his Electrical Apprenticeship. Don's career began with Currie Electric as an apprentice, then, in 1964, continued with the Canadian National Railway, where he spent over 30 years as an Electrician until his retirement.

Don met Nancy, the love of his life, at Hillcrest High, spending the next 60 years as a team, facing and surviving so many of life's trials & tribulations. In that time, with love & pride, they raised four fiercely independent, strong daughters who will miss their dad more than words can say. Together Don & Nancy travelled, spending many frigid winters in the Caribbean, exploring all of Florida and much of the southern US. They especially enjoyed Memphis and the many music events one could attend, from Graceland to New Orleans and everywhere in between.

In the early years, Don & Nancy spent every summer raising their children at Loon Lake, a camp that was built by Don's parents and cherished by each generation that followed. Countless memories were made and happily shared with extended families & friends.

A gifted athlete, excelling in every sport he engaged in, Don also enjoyed a variety of interests & hobbies. He had a passion for planes, bikes, boats, NASCAR, and was beyond thrilled to attend the Daytona 500. To watch Jimmy Johnson win his 7th NASCAR championship in Homestead, Florida was an exciting highlight for him. It made him happy to spend hours spoiling the birds and dogs in his life, as well as working on crossword puzzles and playing crib with friends & family. He truly valued his lifelong friendships.

Over the past 20 years, Don focused on giving back to the community, first volunteering with P.U.S.H Northwest, he then spent over 15 years volunteering with St. Joseph's Hospital, achieving a Volunteer Award with the Ministry of Citizenship. Since its inception, Don also proudly sat as a board member with the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Centre (NOAHC).

Don is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Bonnie Whitehead (John), Laura Spivak, Michelle McRae (Scott), and Debbie McRae. Grandchildren Sarah Boisvert, Myah Tallon, Donald Whitehead, Heather Whitehead and Justin Whitehead. Great grandchild Emberlee Davidson, brother in law Tim Lawson (Jackie), and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.

Donald was predeceased by his parents Donald & Edna McRae, in-laws Leslie & Ina Lawson, sisters-in-law Susan Baxter, Margaret Lawson and Sandra Schell, brothers-in-law Lloyd Schell, Mel Lawson, Sterling Baxter and Gary Lawson, sons-in-law Greg Spivak and Glen Whitehead and niece Mauray Lawson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Thunder Bay & District Humane Society, NOAHC, or the Northern Cardiac Fund at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1pm on June 10th, 2022 at Harbourview Funeral Centre.

Condolences may be offered at
www.harbourviewfuneral.ca