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Donald Tansley Obituary
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36 Entries
jean daenen
July 20, 2008
Hi Dad
A year has passed but not the pain of your early leaving. The last time the family got together was in Regina, as Doug said, and I am sure you had as much fun as we did doing stuff we shouldn't have been, Bill and I are fine. Say hi to his Mom.
Love you always.
Jean
Doug Tansley
July 19, 2008
Well Dad, it's been a year, plus a few hours.
Life has been good here -- no major events (other than the trip to Regina in May, of course -- I do hope you enjoyed it!!), but everyone and everything doing well. Anne is great, and Wes graduated in April (just a fraction of a mark short of Honours); unfortunately, he's still looking for a job in his field, but is positive and in good spirits.
I think of you often, Dad, and hope that it's been a good year for you too. I miss you, and would love to just sit down and have a beer with you, and a talk. In effect, that's what I'm doing now -- nothing eloquent, but special all the same.
I miss you, love you, and think of you often, Dad! We'll be in touch again ...
Love,
Doug.
Erin Blair
August 8, 2007
My sympathies to you and your family Jill. I remember, in one of our political science courses at McGill, you pointed out to me a section referring to your father and others who had left Sask. to come to Ottawa to join the civil service there. I see from reading the obituary why you were so proud of that reference to your dad. Take care.
Bruce and Stella Deacon
August 5, 2007
Dear Murielle,
It was with great sadness that we learned of Don's death. Please accept our sincerest sympathy for you and your family.
It goes with out saying that exceptional people like Don will be remembered by many for the great accomplishments which they achieved during their lifetime. For us, however, Don will always hold a special place as someone who taught us many lessons which hepled shape our careers and our lives.
We will always remember him as a private man of great compassion and wisdom who knew how to enjoy life and who truely cared about others.
With sincerest sumpathy, Bruce and Stella Deacon.
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Bryan Sweet
August 3, 2007
Dear Murielle, Doug, Jean, Jill and families,
Our heartfelt sympathy go out to each of you at the loss of your husband and father. I so appreciated knowing Don as an "instant" uncle when Dad married your Aunt Dorothy. Uncle Don was a wise and courageous gentleman. It was an honour to have known him.
With our sympathy, Margaret and Bryan Sweet
Ann & Bob Webster
July 30, 2007
Dear Doug, Anne & Wes,
Bob and I have been out of town for the past couple of weeks, so only found out about your dad today. Please accept our deepest sympathies, and know that you all in our thoughts at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ann & Bob Webster
peter black
July 29, 2007
My father, Don Black, counted Don Tansley among his closest friends. They worked closely together in the Tommy Douglas administration and at CIDA (some joked about them as the "Black and Tan" team, a reference to a lovely refreshment). Dad often spoke highly of Don as a fellow "happy warrior" in their public service work.
Don delivered the eology at Dad's funeral, which helped our family very much.
I enjoyed Don as a fellow curler with the "Saskatchewan Mafia" here in Ottawa. He was always friendly, always game for anything. I enjoyed a beer with him and Murielle in June, on his back deck. I'll cherish that last time with him. He was a wonderful friend and an inspiring person.
Dolores Hatch (nee Dickin)
July 27, 2007
Murielle & family,
On behalf of the Regina Rifle Regiment Association members I'm sending heartfelt condolences to you. We are saddened by Don's too early passing, but take pride that some of us could call him friend. I will personally miss our telephone conversations and e-mail. His book Growing Up and Going to War is a legacy Don left to current and future generations. I hope those who haven't already done so will enjoy the telling of his story and his great sense of humour. We must remember the part he played in securing the peace we live in today.
valerie lasher
July 27, 2007
We have so many fond memories of Don. Imagine a senior Deputy Minister making it one of his priorities to walk departmental halls on a regular basis so he could sit down and talk to employees - whether they were a CR-1 or an ADM. He was a great public servant and a wonderful individual. Our condolences to Murielle and the family.
Valerie Lasher & Brian Roberts
Jeannie Thomas
July 26, 2007
To the Tansley Family,
I was so very saddened to learn of Don's passing. He was a fine man, a wonderful father, a dedicated public servant. It was an honour and pleasure to know him in Regina and Ottawa.
My thoughts are with you at this very sad time. But you will be consoled with the knowledge that Canada is a better place because of him.
Ron Graham
July 26, 2007
The Graham Famioly wishes to express their sincere condolences on your loss.
Gary & Marie Vernon
July 25, 2007
Condolences to Murielle and all the family.
Don was always forthright, an honest man and a great friend. His achievements were many and important. Always true to his principles, he had a quiet wisdom; we all learned a lot from him. His last and, perhaps, his greatest lesson to us was how to die with grace and dignity.
Gary & Marie Vernon
David Holdsworth
July 25, 2007
Don asked me to take leave from CIDA in 1975 to join him in Geneva and help write his study for the International Red Cross. I learned so much from him and we became friends in the process. I will remember him always with deep affection.
Canada has lost a great public servant, a man of wisdom and a gentleman. My sympathies to Don's family.
Scott and Loretta Parsons
July 24, 2007
Murielle, Loretta and I are deeply saddened by Don's passing. Our thoughts go out to you and your family at this time. Don was an exceptional individual, soft-spoken but a fount of wisdom. We will miss him greatly.
Rod Haney
July 24, 2007
My sincere sympathies to all of Don's family; he was a fine, extremely capable and personable man of real humility...a leader, a gentleman and a friend. His stay at CIDA was all too brief...it was a distinct pleasure to serve on his watch.
Kay and Fern Doucet
July 24, 2007
I worked with Don in Fisheries for some years and we shared a lot of laughs together. You always knew where you were with Don and at the end of the day you really felt you had accomplished something.
At our next Fisheries luncheon we will raise our glasses to Don and wish him Bon Voyage. Murielle, our love to you and all the family at this sad time. Kay and Fern
Bob and Carol Burchill
July 24, 2007
We have been privileged to have known a true patriot who worked constantly and intelligentally to improve the circumstances of the world.
Warren & Audrey Blackburn
July 24, 2007
Dear Murielle Our thoughts are with you.With great sorrow we learned of Don's passing in the paper and at church. We were happy to have had the pleasure of meeting Don and cherish his gift of his book to us. Deepest sympathy at this difficult time. Hope to see you soon
God bless
Robert Pichette
July 24, 2007
I knew Don in Fredericton when he served as Deputy Minister of Finance; I was, at the time, Administrative assistant then Deputy Minister to Premier Robichaud. The former Premier held Don in the highest esteem and often recalled their African safari. Don was a gem. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Richard (Dick) Roberts
July 23, 2007
Murielle:I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. I have fond memories of serving under Don with the collegiality he fostered as Deputy Minister of Fisheries And Oceans. I also recall with fondness my visits with you and Don more recently at your all-too-brief residence in the Victoria area. His wise counsel and positive outlook was an inpiration. My deepest sympathies to you and family
Peggy Teagle
July 23, 2007
Jill, Murielle and all the family, I am so sad to hear of Don's passing. What a wonderful, humble, caring and compassionate man and what a privelege to have known him and once worked with him when he chaired the Humanitarian Ceasefires conference in Ottawa. I so enjoyed reading his book about his childhood and war years. He was truly a remarkable man and my thoughts are with you in your loss.
John O'Neil
July 23, 2007
Murielle and Don's large family: I went to work with Don when he was appointed deputy minister at DFO in 1980. He was the finest and most accomplished Deputy I ever worked for and his exemplary human qualities were a wonderful bonus. My sympathies to all.
Don Moroz
July 23, 2007
It was a pleasure to have known Don and worked with him at CIDA. He was a great leader.
Jack & Wilma Hall
July 23, 2007
So sorry to hear of Don's passing. I always enjoyed him as Deputy Minister. He had a kind regard for all his staff, combined with a friendly smile (and sometimes impish grin) which made those around him feel comfortable. He signed his book to me, the last retired Fisheries personnel luncheon that I attended. We will miss him. Our sympathy to you Murielle.
WL Carl Myers
July 23, 2007
I worked at DFO (Ottawa) in the late 70's and was enlightened by the informal working atmosphere. I was amazed that one could share an after work beer with staff, and the DM.
I later learned that this upbeat and friendly work atmosphere had much to do with Don.
He made a point of reaching out and making friends. While he has many career accomplishments, the many people he touched (friends) is a major testament to his much enjoyed life.
W.L. Carl Myers
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
Nova Scotia
Nick Stevenson
July 22, 2007
Murielle, I was shocked to hear of Don's passing. He and I had a great conversation the last time we met at the spring gathering of the group. He was a great guy to work for and I will miss him.
Kathy Batstone-Brock
July 22, 2007
My deepest sympathies.
Monica Christian
July 22, 2007
Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Nelson Strang
July 21, 2007
Dear Murielle and family: I am honoured to have had the opportunity to work with Don (and you as well Murielle). Don is one of the finest examples of a gentleman that I know.
George & Carole Barden
July 21, 2007
Dear Murielle - We were so terribly sorry to hear that Don had lost his well-fought battle, and offer you our most sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Bill and Carole Ryan
July 21, 2007
We thought of you as a brother.
You were smart and humble; very rarely found in the same person
Robin Hay
July 21, 2007
Very sorry to hear about Don's passing. Had the privilege of working with him in a voluntary capacity and with his daughter Jill years ago. Both great people. My sympathies to Jill and her family.
David Forsythe
July 21, 2007
I worked with Don on the Red Cross "Big Study." He did an outstanding job and I remember him with respect and affection. Concolences to the family, Dave Forsythe (Lincoln, Nebraska)
Michelle & Drago Perkovic
July 21, 2007
Don had a special gift of making people smile when he was around. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Elizabeth O'Gorman-Smit
July 21, 2007
Murielle - though it has been many years since we worked together, I remember you and Don very fondly. My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Bernard Chevrier
July 21, 2007
I deeply regret Don's passing and I offer my sincere condolences to Murielle,his wife and to other members of his family.
I worked with Don at CIDA, when he was Vice-President of Multilateral programs and again our paths crossed when he joined Fisheries & Oceans as Deputy Minister, from 1972 to 1975.
Don was a wonderful person, a fine gentlemen at all times, and highly competent and effective in the numerous and various assignments for which he was responsible.
My thoughts are with his wife, his family and many friends.
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