Obituaries

Donald (Don) P Levins

May 4, 1959 - July 2, 2021

Donald (Don) Patrick Levins
May 4, 1959-July 2, 2021

After a long arduous battle with cancer, which he fought with spirit and determination, Don passed away at home on Friday July 2nd, 2021, with his wife and daughter by his side at the age of 62.

Don is survived by his wife Jennifer of 34 years; daughter Emily (Theo Siegers); grandchildren Kaylee Anne and John Donald; his mother Florence (James Dunn); brothers Brian (Sandy Montour), Michael (Sandra Costa), Bruce (Nathalie Brisson), Sean (Lisa); sister Christina “Tina”(Rick Wilson); brothers in law, David Kehoe, Tom Kehoe (Sue Johnson), John Kehoe; sisters in law Judy (Patrick Fox), Anne Marie Kehoe-Martel; Aurora Kehoe and numerous nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his father Tom Levins (Lynda); brothers in law Peter Kehoe, Peter Martel; nephew William Martel; along with his in-laws William and Yvonne Kehoe.

Don was born in Brockville Ontario and moved at a young age to Montreal. At 16, Don received a certificate from the Governor General in recognition of receiving the Chief Scouts Award, the highest honour a Scout can earn. Montreal remained his home until 1979 when he joined the Canadian Armed Forces. Don saw the world through a different lens when he participated in multiple peace keeping and humanitarian roles in Somalia, Kenya to name a few. Don participated in both Persian Gulf Wars and spent four months in Kuwait flying with the Herc air-to-air refueler in support of the Coalition air forces.

As a flight Engineer, he surpassed over 1500 hours on Chinook Helicopter CH-147 and over 3000 hours on the Hercules C-130. Don retired after 20 yrs. with the CAF as a Warrant Officer. He was based out of Edmonton for 15 years followed by five years in Winnipeg ending in 1999 when he retired. Never one to sit idle, Don continued his education after leaving the military by completing a Certificate in Management Program (University of Manitoba) and a completing a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Winnipeg. Don also started a second career at Standard Aero in 1999 where he progressed to the Director of Operations for Defence and Energy Services.

Don was surrounded with exceptional friends from all different aspect of his life. He loved his time in Gimli at his boat and was Commodore of the Gimli Yacht Club from 2013-2014. He always referred to his boat as his sanctuary. In his earlier years he was involved in many sports including cycling, skiing and loved snow boarding with his daughter Emily along with the numerous international students his family hosted.

Don loved to travel, and he and Jennifer especially enjoyed their annual trek to Mexico with their friends. When his travelling was restricted to Canada due to his health, they adventured down east and had an incredible time touring PEI and Nova Scotia.

Don was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and was known to enjoy the odd Guinness. Don and Jennifer had an opportunity to visit Ireland prior to his ill health and it proved to be a memory of a lifetime.

Don, your work here is done, mission accomplished. We will miss you tremendously and thank you for everything.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made the CLICK LINK:  ********Don Levins Memorial Fund at CancerCare Manitoba*****.

We would like to express our gratitude for the exceptional teams at CancerCareManitoba and HSC. Special thanks to Dr. Paul, Dr. Bras, Dr. Budahan, Dr. Tan, Dr. Butler, Dr. Bashir Bashir. Nurses Meaghan and Rochelle who worked with Dr. Paul. Special thanks also to the nurses from the palliative care team, Jen, Linda, Trish, and Stella.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on July 23, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Cemetery 3990 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Due to COVID restriction Don’s Service of Remembrance will be live, please register prior at CLICK LINK: ****** DON LEVINS SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE ****** you will receive an email to connect at the time of the service.

CLICK LINK BELOW:

******Photo Biography********

A Parable Of Immortality

I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.

She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch until at last she hangs
like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says,
‘ There she goes! ‘

Gone where?

Gone from my sight… that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the place of destination.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment
when someone at my side says,
‘ There she goes! ‘
there are other eyes watching her coming…
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout…

‘ Here she comes! ‘