Obituary of Donald Iva Dawes

Donald Dawes was born in the Blue Mountains of Rural Manchester, Jamaica,West Indies on April 22, 1945. He was the first born child to Eva Petrie. His father was Eric Dawes. Donald's mother raised her children and many of her grandchildren without any electricity, running water, or even an oven or stove! She cooked over an open fire, and washed clothes by hand. She had a long career as a veterinarian assistant at a government agricultural facility called Grove Place. Donald lived the first eleven years of his life with his mom and his grandmother, Ina Gordon. He had their complete attention, love and devotion. They were the two most important women in his life, he always said that. When he was eleven, his sister Juliette was born, and four more siblings followed: Tony, Peter, Joan and Jackie. When Donald was in grade six, he won a scholarship to attend a prestigious high school in Kingston. Kingston was very far away, and he was sent to live with an older sister, Pansy. Back in those days, without phones, his mother wasn't aware that Pansy needed more help with the nine children she was raising, and Donald had to go to work. He didn't get to use the scholarship, but he gained a lifelong love of music. Pansy's husband was one of the original Wailers, and Donald was exposed to writing, singing and playing the Reggae music that became his lifelong passion. Donald married his wife, Violet and came to Canada with her when he was 34 years old. Immigrating to a new country is a brave and exciting challenge and Donald embraced it with both. He worked for many years at the Canadian Pacific Railroad docks in the Port of Vancouver. Donald always had many jobs: both volunteer and paid. He was very active in his community, and one of his favorite projects was the Caribbean Kida Christmas Party, where he played Santa year after year! Donald was a popular DJ and Radio Host. He hosted the radio show, Reggae Sounds every Saturday night on Co-op radio. Donald DJ'd in many nightclubs around Vancouver, but he was known especially for his Reggae night at the Crystal Club. Donald became a school bus driver in the early nineties. He loved that job and all the kids looked forward to telling him their stories. He was an awesome listener. Life was not always easy for Donald. He had many challenges to face, but he always moved forward. His many friends and family remained close in his heart, even though many were far away. He was the proud father of three sons and six daughters: Donna, Jamie, Izaak, Soili, Cassandra, Claudette, Mark, Chantelle and Nicole. The communities where Donald made his home: Jamaica, Vancouver, and Fort St John will miss him dearly, Donald Dawes cannot be forgotten. Donald passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at the age of 68 years. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the North Peace Cultural Centre. Pastor Jason McLaughlin officiated. Don will be interred, in Jamaica, at a later date. Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium.