Obituary, Don Strong

Colonel Donald Strong

Don's death at age ninety-two in the early morning hours of October 17th released him from the grip of Alzheimer's Disease. We lost a beloved husband, father, father in-law and grandfather.

Having lost his father from a heart attack when Don was eight years old, the military became a strong male influence in his life. This began when he donned an army cadet uniform, followed by service in the militia and at enlistment age, as Private Strong in the Royal Canadian Regiment. Don rose through the ranks and was accepted into Royal Military College. He graduated with a degree in electrical engineering with the "New One Hundred" Class of 1952 - the first graduating class when the college reopened at the end of World War Two. Upon graduation, he was sent to the war in Korea as a Signals Officer.

Don served in a number of postings within Canada and internationally. His out of country postings included England, Washington DC, the Netherlands and Brussels. Upon his retirement he was executive officer of the Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada for ten years.

A dedicated proponent of physical exercise with a love of the water, Don swam in the Atlantic, the St. Lawrence River and any body of water he was near. In his fifties, Don became a SCUBA instructor. At the age of sixty, he swam from the winter landing on Wolfe Island to the Vimy Officers' Beach on the mainland. He continued this swim every five years, completing his last swim on his eighty -fifth birthday. He always felt it would set a good example for those who served under him.

Don is survived by his loving wife Jeannie, a former Army Nursing Sister, daughters Patti and Linda (Larry) granddaughter Samantha, grandson Patrick, step-granddaughter Laurie (Danny) step-grandson Bruce (Carrie) and their families.

Following his wishes, Don's body has been donated to Queen's University Medical Research . It is our hope that this might help in finding a cure for Alzheimer's.

A reception in memory for Don is planned for Sunday November 3rd at 2pm at Vimy Officer's Mess, Kingston. Everyone welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP), or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will be gratefully accepted.

Don's death occurred at Providence Manor, Kingston. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the devoted and caring staff, especially those on Montreal 5 who became such an important part of our lives.

Published on October 22, 2019