Obituary of Donald John Wakey

Donald John Wakey of Red Deer, Alberta, passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital on April 7, 2023, at the age of 94 years. Don was born October 21, 1928, in Innisfail Alberta. He spent his life in Red Deer, living with his mother and siblings in Parkvale until his marriage to Lil in 1952 when they built their family home in Grandview. Don and Lil remained in their Grandview home until 2020 when they moved into Piper Creek Lodge, then shortly after to Crimson Villa, where they resided until his passing.

Don will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. A hard-working man, Don’s career at Northwest Motors spanned 42 years, culminating in his retirement in 1991. Don enjoyed a wonderful retirement filled with time spent outdoors and with his family. A voracious reader and sports lover, much of the time Don could also be found engrossed in a novel or biography, a baseball game, hockey game, or curling match. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking, camping and fishing. He traveled many places, including cruises to Alaska, the Mexican Riviera and Caribbean, and a six-week trip to Australia and New Zealand. He continued travelling into old age with his wife as they took many bus trips throughout Canada.

Don’s loyalty and devotion to his wife and family were ever present. Don and Lil celebrated 70 years of marriage on August 8, 2022, and as a husband, he set a lofty standard for his sons and grandsons. As a father, his support for his sons was unyielding. He had a keen interest in all the activities and accomplishments of his grandchildren, who will always remember his beaming smile and the way he handed them a toonie or a five-dollar bill, sometimes as a token of his pride and sometimes for no reason at all. His unconditional love and support were the heart of his family and will be missed tremendously.

Don is survived by loving wife Lillian; sons Dean and Mark (Lisa); grandchildren Michael Wakey (Crystal), Carmen MacDonald (Randy), Conner Wakey (Shillelagh), and Layne Wakey; great grandchildren Maiya Wakey and Marlowe MacDonald; brother Robert Wakey and stepsister Doris Weeder; and extended family Sheila and Henry Maday, and Evelyn Reeves.

He was pre-deceased by his daughter in law Katherine Wakey; sister and brother-in-law Lois and Jack Britton, sister-in-law Helen Wakey, brother-in-law Allan Reeves, and stepbrother-in-law Bob Weeder.

Don will be remembered for his kindness, his generosity, and his warm smile. He touched the lives of so many people and though his passing leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him, his legacy will live on in their memories. A memorial tea will be held on May 12, 2023, at the Pioneer Lodge, 4324 46A Ave, Red Deer, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Condolences to Donald’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Wakey” in the subject line.

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944