Donald SKINNER

SKINNER, Donald
June 16, 1926 – Calgary, AB
February 1, 2017 – Calgary, AB
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Don on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the age of 90 years.
Don was born and raised in Calgary. The Skinner family has had roots in Calgary dating back to 1883 when Don's grandfather arrived on horseback and the area was still part of the Northwest Territories. Don, the only child of Edna and William Skinner, grew up in the community of Mount Royal, attended Earl Grey and later Central High School. Don had ties to the Maritimes through his mother and her family and spent many summers on Cape Breton Island. He later attended the University of British Columbia before returning and settling permanently in Calgary. Don was an avid skier and hiker in his younger days and never missed an opportunity to head to the mountains while at the same time establishing himself in business and what would become Skinner Management Company Ltd. Don's business interests were vast and varied from insurance and real estate to hotels in Banff, Alberta but his primary business and passion was property management. When asked, Don would say that he was really "in the people business" and it was there that Don really excelled. His cheerfulness, kindness and above all else, his smile, were Don's defining characteristics. As a fiercely proud and loyal Calgarian, Don found many ways to give back to the city that in his words "had been so good to him." His contributions over the years included, but are not limited to, roles as the Chairman of the Calgary Chapter of the Canadian Institute of Realtors, President of the Calgary Real Estate Board, Director of the Better Business Bureau, General Campaign Chairman of the United Way, President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, member of the Calgary Court of Revision Assessment and Appeal Board and member of the Board of the Parks Foundation Calgary. In particular, Don was a champion of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway pathway system and spent his weekend's rollerblading and cycling from Edworthy Park to Chestermere. Don's passion for the Greenway pathway project led to his support of the Bob Skinner Pathway, a commemorative 13 km pathway to honour the memory of his son.
Don leaves behind many who will dearly miss him and mourn his passing. Many thanks to his loyal and cherished staff at Skinner Management, his invaluable health care companion Cecilia Asuncion, his friends and staff at Maison and Carewest Signal Hill.
Don will be lovingly remembered by Hazel, his wife of 58 years; his daughter Liz Hagerman (Neil), daughter Carole Coward (Ken); daughter-in-law Jody Skinner and grandchildren Gordon, Scott, Diane, Annie, Saphron and Sam. Don was tragically predeceased by his son Bob in 2007.
A Gathering will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to United Way of Calgary and Area, #600, 1202 Centre Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Telephone: (403) 231-6265, www.calgaryunitedway.org. or to Parks Foundation Calgary, 225 – 13 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2R 1N8 Telephone: (403) 974–0751, info@parksfdn.com.
In living memory of Don Skinner, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.