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Donald Robert Frederick Orchard
November 13, 1933 - June 9, 2023
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With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Donald Robert Frederick Orchard, loving husband, father, brother, and much-beloved grandpa. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 13th, 1933. Don passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by loved ones on June 9th, 2023 at a young 89 years old.
Though he is missed dearly, we take comfort in knowing Don is reunited with his parents, Mabel and Donald Orchard Sr. and sister Muriel Gleadle.
Don is survived by his wife and best friend of 35 years Doris Orchard, his daughters Carolynn Orchard (Allen) and Jocelyn Anderson (Danny), step-children Nadine Mackay (Murray), Michele Bain, and Dan Walls, and his loving sisters Lois Martin and Joan Gamache.
Don adored his granddaughters Meagan Anderson (Tyler), Lauren Anderson (Kyle), Olivia Rettig, Erica Rettig, Alicia Bousquet (Ryan) and great grandchildren Maielle and Adalyn. Family was very important to Don. He had a close connection with his nieces and nephews and was a much loved uncle.
Don was the youngest of four children born to Donald Orchard Sr. and Mabel Orchard. Donald Sr. worked for the R.C.A.F. during WW2 and it was the years alongside his father in the air hangers that sparked Don’s love for flying. At just 16 years of age he obtained his pilot’s license and bought his own airplane, a hobby that would bring about a lifetime of joy.
Don graduated with a law degree from the University of Manitoba and was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1962. He then opened his own law firm in Thompson, Manitoba with a branch office in The Pas. This allowed him to combine his love of flying with his love for law as he regularly flew his airplane between Thompson and The Pas and other northern communities to meet with clients.
In 1973 the family relocated to Duncan, British Columbia where Don was called to the British Columbia Bar. Here he proudly served the Cowichan Valley for over 40 years in law. In 1987 Don started his own law firm, Orchard and Company, where he eventually retired at the age of 82. Don loved his work as a lawyer and made countless connections with clients and those he worked alongside, connections that would turn into valued lifelong friendships that meant so much to him.
Don was an active community member and served on the Thompson Manitoba School Board, the Cowichan District Hospital Board, and was a proud member of the Rotary Club and Shriners. Don loved to serve the community. He was kind, caring, generous, fun-loving and found such joy in the many friendly faces he came to know.
Don lived a very full and rewarding life filled with many adventures. In his younger years in northern Manitoba he enjoyed hockey and curling, fishing for pickerel, and duck hunting trips with his brother-in-law(s) and nephews. Upon moving to the Cowichan Valley, he enjoyed golfing with friends at the Cowichan and Arbutus Ridge golf clubs, boating with family, and motor-homing with Doris. Don loved his weekly poker game with friends, and was an avid sports fan, always cheering for the underdog. He was a devoted husband and a cherished dad, stepdad, father-in-law, grandpa, and friend. We will miss him dearly.
Many thanks to the staff at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for the wonderful care provided to Don.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August the 26th at 1:00pm at New Life Baptist Church, Duncan, BC.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to donate in Don’s name please consider the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation (new hospital building) at cdhfoundation.ca.
Until we meet again Don, ‘All the Very Best’.
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre
H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Eugene/Katie Shahariw
Relation: Friend
Katie and I wish to send our sincere condolences to all the immediate and extended family. Don was a friend, a golf partner, our lawyer, and a true gentleman. We shall miss him…Our love is attached to this message….
From: robin king
Relation: old school friend of carolynn
Carolynn,sorry to hear about the passing of your father
From: Catherine Hobbs
Relation: I met and worked with Don through business.
My sincere condolences to Doris and family. I am saddened to hear of Don’s passing, he was kind and caring, truly a good person. Rest in peace Don.
From: Linda Hughes
Relation: Friend
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Gwyn and I have many fond memories of the fun we had on and off the golf course. Don could find something humorous in almost every situation. Sincere condolences to Doris and family.
From: Carol Kilner
Relation: I was a client.
My memories of Don go back to the early 1990’s when my mother was was going through some tough family problems. He assisted her with her legal problems and supported her with compassion and friendship. In 1993, Mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Once again Don was there for Mom, this time with her will. After her death, he helped us through all of the intricacies of her will. The last time I saw Don, he was sitting on his office floor making my not quite 2 year old granddaughter giggle by trying on her sun hat. A good man. My condolences to his family.
From: Jeff Oliphant
Relation: Don and I had a lot in common. We were both lawyers. We both practised in rural Manitoba. We were both pilots and we both flew our own aircraft in our practices. Over the years, Don and I became friends. Don's life was a life well-lived.
I was saddened to hear of Don’s passing and extend my sincere condolences to all members of Don’s family.
From: Donald and Bridget Bruneski
Relation: Friend
It with deepest condolences that Bridget & I learned of Don’s passing. It was thanks to Don and Doris that we got our start here in the Cowichan Valley – Doris through realestate in acquiring or floathome and Don in ensuring that it was legally ours. I took great pleasure in designing Don’s law offices on St. Julian St. and I take enormous pride in seeing the building under the ownership of the Cowichan Valley Intercultural Society – a group, I’m sure Don would have been proud to see in his building.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
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