Silently, as the stars wheeled in the heavens and a new day began, Thursday, July 5, Don Piper began his passage into the world to come.
In hospital in Kamloops for the past two weeks, Don was finally pain-free and at peace, in the company of family.
A resident of the North Thompson for the past 22 years, Don was born in Peers, Alberta, Feb. 26, 1933, was raised on the Lower Mainland, and found his true home in the Chilcotin in 1964. He found his life partner, Ann, during a sojourn at Williams Lake, where youngest son Don Junior was born.
The Pipers were a blended, extended and occasionally rowdily happy family.
Don was predeceased by his five siblings, Walter, Hortense, Adelaide, Frank and Mary.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ann, at Barriere, “the Big Kids,” David (Lydia) at Terrace and in the Yukon, Patsy (Charles) Grimshire in Northern Alberta, Buddy (Carol) in Prince George, Shelly (Vince) Ubell at Quesnel and Wes (Kelly) at Kitimat, and Don Junior, at Little Fort. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Sherry, Cody, Julian, Charlie Anne, Joseph, Brandi-Marie, Sean, Sheldon, Maria Dulce, Marion Rose and Mary May, and four great-grandchildren, Avalon Rose, Kaden, Damien and Madison. As well, Don leaves a long list of nieces and nephews and their growing families.
Cremation; a quiet gathering of family and friends will be planned for later in the summer.