William "Don" Griffin

In Loving Memory Of William Donald Griffin March 10, 1929 – September 13, 2013 William Donald Griffin was born on March 10, 1929 in Dodsland, Saskatchewan, the firstborn child of Reg and Eva Griffin. Don’s first years were spent on his father’s farm at Ruthilda, Saskatchewan. The family further expanded with the birth of his brother Garth on June 2, 1931. The drought of the prairies and the drought forced the family to move north. In 1934 Reg and Eva moved their family north to Codette, Saskatchewan, spending the first winter living with Eva’s parents, William and Catherine Rupert at Codette, Saskatchewan. In the spring of 1935 the family moved west of Codette to share a house with Eva’s sister, Irene Dawes (Harry) and family. In 1936 Reg moved his family to a rented quarter of land and into a small one-room house. The family expanded quickly with the birth of “the twins”, Barry and Beryl, on February 26, 1938. By the time Sandra, the “baby” of the family, arrived on July 10, 1945 things had improved a great deal. The farm had increased to four quarters and a new house had been constructed on the home quarter. The farm income was supplemented by custom breaking land for other farmers and by custom threshing at harvest time Don attended the Inkster School for grades one to ten. He took his grade eleven in the town of Codette requiring a five-mile trip on horseback each way. Don left school after grade eleven. Don continued to farm with his father Reg and his brother Garth but gradually started to branch out on his own. He was willed a quarter section of land and used that as a base to start his own farming operation after he married Jean Audrey Jones on November 9, 1951, a union that was to last for sixty years. Together they raised five children; Donald Aubrey (Donnie) was born in April, 1952, Diane Eva was born in March, 1954, Dale Edward was born in September, 1955, and Reginald Dwight (Dwight) was born in February, 1959. Then in January, 1974 a four-day-old foster child was placed in their home and she stayed to become their chosen daughter Daphne Marie (Marie). For several years the family moved into Nipawin for the school year, and then back out to the farm for the summer months. They continued this trend until the family returned to the farm full time in 1962. Don and Jean opted to set up on a new yard site and purchased an existing house, which was relocated. Eventually all of the farm buildings were moved to this site. Don continued farming and was able to purchase a second quarter and then rent a third quarter from Ella Tait. When he was given the chance to purchase Ella’s quarter outright, he was so very happy. He loved that land and still owned that quarter at his passing. The family continued to live on the farm until a move to Codette in 1976, which shortened the daily drive to work in Nipawin. Don supplemented the family income in various ways, working in the bush camps during the winters, and then in 1956 he started working at Newfield Seeds in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He continued to work for them, eventually rising to the position of production manager. The Griffin home always welcomed anyone who needed a safe place to land and there was often an extra person or two at the supper table. After their kids started leaving home, Don and Jean began to take in Foster Children. These foster children stayed for varying lengths of time and some stayed for good. Barbara and Ivy came in their early teens and remained as members of the family until they grew up and moved out. Over the years Don and Jean became Dad and Mom to over one hundred foster children. Many of the “kids” stayed in contact right up until Don and Jean passed away. It wasn’t only children that received help from the Griffins. Over the years they quietly helped many families to survive some difficult times. No one was turned away. Tragedy struck the family on May 9, 1982 when the youngest son, Dwight, was killed in a house fire. Coping with the loss of Dwight and the stress of a high-pressure job just became too much and Don and Jean opted for a fresh start in a new location. They first moved to Peace River, Alberta and managed a trailer park there for a year. After a year “up North” they moved to Edmonton where they began managing apartment buildings. They had really found their niche. Jean took care of the paperwork and rent collections while Don looked after the repairs and the grounds. When Don and Jean retired, they moved into Pleasantview Place, a senior’s complex in Edmonton, Alberta. They loved living there, making many wonderful new friends. There was always someone to visit with or an activity to take part in. Dad often stated that he did not want to live anywhere else. When Jean’s health began to fail, Don took on the task of caring for her willingly and without complaint continuing even after he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of eighty. Jean passed away in November, 2011 just days after their sixtieth wedding anniversary. How Don missed her. Don’s health continued to worsen throughout 2012 and he developed a secondary type of cancer, which caused him to be in constant pain. Then in March, 2013 Don lost his beloved youngest brother Barry, followed just a week later by the unexpected death of his oldest son, Donnie, from cancer. Donnie had been a constant source of help and companionship and his loss was terribly difficult. Don carried on but the many blows and constant pain sapped his will to go on. In September, 2013, a simple illness sent Don to the Emergency Department at the University of Alberta Hospital. While undergoing treatment he picked up a “super bug”. It was too much for his weakened health and he deteriorated rapidly. On September 13, 2013 Don passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his wife Jean, his sons Donnie and Dwight, his parents Reg and Eva, his stepmother Betty, his brother Barry, Jean’s parents Catherine and Aubrey Jones, all of Jeans brothers and sisters and their spouses, both his and Jean’s paternal and maternal Grandparents, and all of the aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Doug) and their family, his son Dale (Lorraine) and their family, his daughter Marie and her family, his brother Garth (Faye) and their family, his sister Beryl (Jim) and their family, his sister Sandra and her family, his sister-in-law Dolly and her family, a foster daughter Barb and her family, and a foster daughter, Ivy and her family, along with a host of foster daughters and sons that he and Jean sheltered throughout the years. He is also survived by his new "family" at Pleasantview Place, as well as a host of wonderful friends he met throughout the years. He was greatly loved and we will miss him so very, very much. In Loving Memory Of William Donald Griffin March 10, 1929 – September 13, 2013 William Donald Griffin was born on March 10, 1929 in Dodsland, Saskatchewan, the firstborn child of Reg and Eva Griffin. Don’s first years were spent on his father’s farm at Ruthilda, Saskatchewan. The family further expanded with the birth of his brother Garth on June 2, 1931. The drought of the prairies and the drought forced the family to move north. In 1934 Reg and Eva moved their family north to Codette, Saskatchewan, spending the first winter living with Eva’s parents, William and Catherine Rupert at Codette, Saskatchewan. In the spring of 1935 the family moved west of Codette to share a house with Eva’s sister, Irene Dawes (Harry) and family. In 1936 Reg moved his family to a rented quarter of land and into a small one-room house. The family expanded quickly with the birth of “the twins”, Barry and Beryl, on February 26, 1938. By the time Sandra, the “baby” of the family, arrived on July 10, 1945 things had improved a great deal. The farm had increased to four quarters and a new house had been constructed on the home quarter. The farm income was supplemented by custom breaking land for other farmers and by custom threshing at harvest time Don attended the Inkster School for grades one to ten. He took his grade eleven in the town of Codette requiring a five-mile trip on horseback each way. Don left school after grade eleven. Don continued to farm with his father Reg and his brother Garth but gradually started to branch out on his own. He was willed a quarter section of land and used that as a base to start his own farming operation after he married Jean Audrey Jones on November 9, 1951, a union that was to last for sixty years. Together they raised five children; Donald Aubrey (Donnie) was born in April, 1952, Diane Eva was born in March, 1954, Dale Edward was born in September, 1955, and Reginald Dwight (Dwight) was born in February, 1959. Then in January, 1974 a four-day-old foster child was placed in their home and she stayed to become their chosen daughter Daphne Marie (Marie). For several years the family moved into Nipawin for the school year, and then back out to the farm for the summer months. They continued this trend until the family returned to the farm full time in 1962. Don and Jean opted to set up on a new yard site and purchased an existing house, which was relocated. Eventually all of the farm buildings were moved to this site. Don continued farming and was able to purchase a second quarter and then rent a third quarter from Ella Tait. When he was given the chance to purchase Ella’s quarter outright, he was so very happy. He loved that land and still owned that quarter at his passing. The family continued to live on the farm until a move to Codette in 1976, which shortened the daily drive to work in Nipawin. Don supplemented the family income in various ways, working in the bush camps during the winters, and then in 1956 he started working at Newfield Seeds in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He continued to work for them, eventually rising to the position of production manager. The Griffin home always welcomed anyone who needed a safe place to land and there was often an extra person or two at the supper table. After their kids started leaving home, Don and Jean began to take in Foster Children. These foster children stayed for varying lengths of time and some stayed for good. Barbara and Ivy came in their early teens and remained as members of the family until they grew up and moved out. Over the years Don and Jean became Dad and Mom to over one hundred foster children. Many of the “kids” stayed in contact right up until Don and Jean passed away. It wasn’t only children that received help from the Griffins. Over the years they quietly helped many families to survive some difficult times. No one was turned away. Tragedy struck the family on May 9, 1982 when the youngest son, Dwight, was killed in a house fire. Coping with the loss of Dwight and the stress of a high-pressure job just became too much and Don and Jean opted for a fresh start in a new location. They first moved to Peace River, Alberta and managed a trailer park there for a year. After a year “up North” they moved to Edmonton where they began managing apartment buildings. They had really found their niche. Jean took care of the paperwork and rent collections while Don looked after the repairs and the grounds. When Don and Jean retired, they moved into Pleasantview Place, a senior’s complex in Edmonton, Alberta. They loved living there, making many wonderful new friends. There was always someone to visit with or an activity to take part in. Dad often stated that he did not want to live anywhere else. When Jean’s health began to fail, Don took on the task of caring for her willingly and without complaint continuing even after he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of eighty. Jean passed away in November, 2011 just days after their sixtieth wedding anniversary. How Don missed her. Don’s health continued to worsen throughout 2012 and he developed a secondary type of cancer, which caused him to be in constant pain. Then in March, 2013 Don lost his beloved youngest brother Barry, followed just a week later by the unexpected death of his oldest son, Donnie, from cancer. Donnie had been a constant source of help and companionship and his loss was terribly difficult. Don carried on but the many blows and constant pain sapped his will to go on. In September, 2013, a simple illness sent Don to the Emergency Department at the University of Alberta Hospital. While undergoing treatment he picked up a “super bug”. It was too much for his weakened health and he deteriorated rapidly. On September 13, 2013 Don passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his wife Jean, his sons Donnie and Dwight, his parents Reg and Eva, his stepmother Betty, his brother Barry, Jean’s parents Catherine and Aubrey Jones, all of Jeans brothers and sisters and their spouses, both his and Jean’s paternal and maternal Grandparents, and all of the aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Doug) and their family, his son Dale (Lorraine) and their family, his daughter Marie and her family, his brother Garth (Faye) and their family, his sister Beryl (Jim) and their family, his sister Sandra and her family, his sister-in-law Dolly and her family, a foster daughter Barb and her family, and a foster daughter, Ivy and her family, along with a host of foster daughters and sons that he and Jean sheltered throughout the years. He is also survived by his new "family" at Pleasantview Place, as well as a host of wonderful friends he met throughout the years. He was greatly loved and we will miss him so very, very much. In Loving Memory Of William Donald Griffin March 10, 1929 – September 13, 2013 William Donald Griffin was born on March 10, 1929 in Dodsland, Saskatchewan, the firstborn child of Reg and Eva Griffin. Don’s first years were spent on his father’s farm at Ruthilda, Saskatchewan. The family further expanded with the birth of his brother Garth on June 2, 1931. The drought of the prairies and the drought forced the family to move north. In 1934 Reg and Eva moved their family north to Codette, Saskatchewan, spending the first winter living with Eva’s parents, William and Catherine Rupert at Codette, Saskatchewan. In the spring of 1935 the family moved west of Codette to share a house with Eva’s sister, Irene Dawes (Harry) and family. In 1936 Reg moved his family to a rented quarter of land and into a small one-room house. The family expanded quickly with the birth of “the twins”, Barry and Beryl, on February 26, 1938. By the time Sandra, the “baby” of the family, arrived on July 10, 1945 things had improved a great deal. The farm had increased to four quarters and a new house had been constructed on the home quarter. The farm income was supplemented by custom breaking land for other farmers and by custom threshing at harvest time Don attended the Inkster School for grades one to ten. He took his grade eleven in the town of Codette requiring a five-mile trip on horseback each way. Don left school after grade eleven. Don continued to farm with his father Reg and his brother Garth but gradually started to branch out on his own. He was willed a quarter section of land and used that as a base to start his own farming operation after he married Jean Audrey Jones on November 9, 1951, a union that was to last for sixty years. Together they raised five children; Donald Aubrey (Donnie) was born in April, 1952, Diane Eva was born in March, 1954, Dale Edward was born in September, 1955, and Reginald Dwight (Dwight) was born in February, 1959. Then in January, 1974 a four-day-old foster child was placed in their home and she stayed to become their chosen daughter Daphne Marie (Marie). For several years the family moved into Nipawin for the school year, and then back out to the farm for the summer months. They continued this trend until the family returned to the farm full time in 1962. Don and Jean opted to set up on a new yard site and purchased an existing house, which was relocated. Eventually all of the farm buildings were moved to this site. Don continued farming and was able to purchase a second quarter and then rent a third quarter from Ella Tait. When he was given the chance to purchase Ella’s quarter outright, he was so very happy. He loved that land and still owned that quarter at his passing. The family continued to live on the farm until a move to Codette in 1976, which shortened the daily drive to work in Nipawin. Don supplemented the family income in various ways, working in the bush camps during the winters, and then in 1956 he started working at Newfield Seeds in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He continued to work for them, eventually rising to the position of production manager. The Griffin home always welcomed anyone who needed a safe place to land and there was often an extra person or two at the supper table. After their kids started leaving home, Don and Jean began to take in Foster Children. These foster children stayed for varying lengths of time and some stayed for good. Barbara and Ivy came in their early teens and remained as members of the family until they grew up and moved out. Over the years Don and Jean became Dad and Mom to over one hundred foster children. Many of the “kids” stayed in contact right up until Don and Jean passed away. It wasn’t only children that received help from the Griffins. Over the years they quietly helped many families to survive some difficult times. No one was turned away. Tragedy struck the family on May 9, 1982 when the youngest son, Dwight, was killed in a house fire. Coping with the loss of Dwight and the stress of a high-pressure job just became too much and Don and Jean opted for a fresh start in a new location. They first moved to Peace River, Alberta and managed a trailer park there for a year. After a year “up North” they moved to Edmonton where they began managing apartment buildings. They had really found their niche. Jean took care of the paperwork and rent collections while Don looked after the repairs and the grounds. When Don and Jean retired, they moved into Pleasantview Place, a senior’s complex in Edmonton, Alberta. They loved living there, making many wonderful new friends. There was always someone to visit with or an activity to take part in. Dad often stated that he did not want to live anywhere else. When Jean’s health began to fail, Don took on the task of caring for her willingly and without complaint continuing even after he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of eighty. Jean passed away in November, 2011 just days after their sixtieth wedding anniversary. How Don missed her. Don’s health continued to worsen throughout 2012 and he developed a secondary type of cancer, which caused him to be in constant pain. Then in March, 2013 Don lost his beloved youngest brother Barry, followed just a week later by the unexpected death of his oldest son, Donnie, from cancer. Donnie had been a constant source of help and companionship and his loss was terribly difficult. Don carried on but the many blows and constant pain sapped his will to go on. In September, 2013, a simple illness sent Don to the Emergency Department at the University of Alberta Hospital. While undergoing treatment he picked up a “super bug”. It was too much for his weakened health and he deteriorated rapidly. On September 13, 2013 Don passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his wife Jean, his sons Donnie and Dwight, his parents Reg and Eva, his stepmother Betty, his brother Barry, Jean’s parents Catherine and Aubrey Jones, all of Jeans brothers and sisters and their spouses, both his and Jean’s paternal and maternal Grandparents, and all of the aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Doug) and their family, his son Dale (Lorraine) and their family, his daughter Marie and her family, his brother Garth (Faye) and their family, his sister Beryl (Jim) and their family, his sister Sandra and her family, his sister-in-law Dolly and her family, a foster daughter Barb and her family, and a foster daughter, Ivy and her family, along with a host of foster daughters and sons that he and Jean sheltered throughout the years. He is also survived by his new "family" at Pleasantview Place, as well as a host of wonderful friends he met throughout the years. He was greatly loved and we will miss him so very, very much. In Loving Memory Of William Donald Griffin March 10, 1929 – September 13, 2013 William Donald Griffin was born on March 10, 1929 in Dodsland, Saskatchewan, the firstborn child of Reg and Eva Griffin. Don’s first years were spent on his father’s farm at Ruthilda, Saskatchewan. The family further expanded with the birth of his brother Garth on June 2, 1931. The drought of the prairies and the drought forced the family to move north. In 1934 Reg and Eva moved their family north to Codette, Saskatchewan, spending the first winter living with Eva’s parents, William and Catherine Rupert at Codette, Saskatchewan. In the spring of 1935 the family moved west of Codette to share a house with Eva’s sister, Irene Dawes (Harry) and family. In 1936 Reg moved his family to a rented quarter of land and into a small one-room house. The family expanded quickly with the birth of “the twins”, Barry and Beryl, on February 26, 1938. By the time Sandra, the “baby” of the family, arrived on July 10, 1945 things had improved a great deal. The farm had increased to four quarters and a new house had been constructed on the home quarter. The farm income was supplemented by custom breaking land for other farmers and by custom threshing at harvest time Don attended the Inkster School for grades one to ten. He took his grade eleven in the town of Codette requiring a five-mile trip on horseback each way. Don left school after grade eleven. Don continued to farm with his father Reg and his brother Garth but gradually started to branch out on his own. He was willed a quarter section of land and used that as a base to start his own farming operation after he married Jean Audrey Jones on November 9, 1951, a union that was to last for sixty years. Together they raised five children; Donald Aubrey (Donnie) was born in April, 1952, Diane Eva was born in March, 1954, Dale Edward was born in September, 1955, and Reginald Dwight (Dwight) was born in February, 1959. Then in January, 1974 a four-day-old foster child was placed in their home and she stayed to become their chosen daughter Daphne Marie (Marie). For several years the family moved into Nipawin for the school year, and then back out to the farm for the summer months. They continued this trend until the family returned to the farm full time in 1962. Don and Jean opted to set up on a new yard site and purchased an existing house, which was relocated. Eventually all of the farm buildings were moved to this site. Don continued farming and was able to purchase a second quarter and then rent a third quarter from Ella Tait. When he was given the chance to purchase Ella’s quarter outright, he was so very happy. He loved that land and still owned that quarter at his passing. The family continued to live on the farm until a move to Codette in 1976, which shortened the daily drive to work in Nipawin. Don supplemented the family income in various ways, working in the bush camps during the winters, and then in 1956 he started working at Newfield Seeds in Nipawin, Saskatchewan. He continued to work for them, eventually rising to the position of production manager. The Griffin home always welcomed anyone who needed a safe place to land and there was often an extra person or two at the supper table. After their kids started leaving home, Don and Jean began to take in Foster Children. These foster children stayed for varying lengths of time and some stayed for good. Barbara and Ivy came in their early teens and remained as members of the family until they grew up and moved out. Over the years Don and Jean became Dad and Mom to over one hundred foster children. Many of the “kids” stayed in contact right up until Don and Jean passed away. It wasn’t only children that received help from the Griffins. Over the years they quietly helped many families to survive some difficult times. No one was turned away. Tragedy struck the family on May 9, 1982 when the youngest son, Dwight, was killed in a house fire. Coping with the loss of Dwight and the stress of a high-pressure job just became too much and Don and Jean opted for a fresh start in a new location. They first moved to Peace River, Alberta and managed a trailer park there for a year. After a year “up North” they moved to Edmonton where they began managing apartment buildings. They had really found their niche. Jean took care of the paperwork and rent collections while Don looked after the repairs and the grounds. When Don and Jean retired, they moved into Pleasantview Place, a senior’s complex in Edmonton, Alberta. They loved living there, making many wonderful new friends. There was always someone to visit with or an activity to take part in. Dad often stated that he did not want to live anywhere else. When Jean’s health began to fail, Don took on the task of caring for her willingly and without complaint continuing even after he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of eighty. Jean passed away in November, 2011 just days after their sixtieth wedding anniversary. How Don missed her. Don’s health continued to worsen throughout 2012 and he developed a secondary type of cancer, which caused him to be in constant pain. Then in March, 2013 Don lost his beloved youngest brother Barry, followed just a week later by the unexpected death of his oldest son, Donnie, from cancer. Donnie had been a constant source of help and companionship and his loss was terribly difficult. Don carried on but the many blows and constant pain sapped his will to go on. In September, 2013, a simple illness sent Don to the Emergency Department at the University of Alberta Hospital. While undergoing treatment he picked up a “super bug”. It was too much for his weakened health and he deteriorated rapidly. On September 13, 2013 Don passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his wife Jean, his sons Donnie and Dwight, his parents Reg and Eva, his stepmother Betty, his brother Barry, Jean’s parents Catherine and Aubrey Jones, all of Jeans brothers and sisters and their spouses, both his and Jean’s paternal and maternal Grandparents, and all of the aunts and uncles on both sides of the family. He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Doug) and their family, his son Dale (Lorraine) and their family, his daughter Marie and her family, his brother Garth (Faye) and their family, his sister Beryl (Jim) and their family, his sister Sandra and her family, his sister-in-law Dolly and her family, a foster daughter Barb and her family, and a foster daughter, Ivy and her family, along with a host of foster daughters and sons that he and Jean sheltered throughout the years. He is also survived by his new "family" at Pleasantview Place, as well as a host of wonderful friends he met throughout the years. He was greatly loved and we will miss him so very, very much

William "Don" Griffin

March 10, 1929 - September 13, 2013