ZINCK, Donald Glenwood

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Donald at his nursing home in Trenton, ON, in his eighty-ninth year. Don was the loving son of the late William and Mildred Zinck of West Northfield.

Beloved husband of the late Francoise (Fran) Zinck and cherished father to Susan Crabbe (Douglas), Donna McKeigan (Pierre), late Kelly Zinck, Darrell Zinck (Anne), and James Zinck (Marcia); cherished grandfather to Kelly McKeigan-Hagihristos (Mark), Megan Theoret (Jean Michel), Kelsey Pacholuk (Jeff), Katrina Zinck, and Liam Zinck, and great-grandchildren, Ava, Chloe, Alex, and Charlotte.

Don was predeceased by his five siblings, Glenice Lillian, Audrey, Claude and Harold.

Born in West Northfield, NS, Don joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in July 1952 as a Communications Technician and served for the next 39 years. In 1955 while serving in 2 (Fighter) Wing at Grostenquin, France, he met and married Fran. For the next 11 postings and deployments from such places as Chatham, NB, Parent, QC, North Bay, ON, Denver, Colorado, Flin Flon, MB, Alert NT, and Casteau, Belgium, they raised five children and lived the life of the military family. Don retired in Halifax as a Chief Warrant Officer and he and Fran moved to the family home on the Bruhm Road, building their home on the quiet LaHave. A member to the Order of Military Merit, Don also earned the Special Service Medal with bars for NATO and Alert, the Queens Silver Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration with two clasps, and many other commendations during his time in the Forces.

Well-known for their love for entertaining in their home throughout their lives together, Don would not need much encouragement to pull out his trusty Gibson acoustic guitar and provide a great retinue of songs that all could enjoy. A very capable homebrewer, his fine wines, beers, as well as the occasional root beer, put a smile on the face of many. An avid fisherman, Don had his favourite fly-fishing pool on the river at home and successfully plied his skills in many other locations. Don was proud of his military career and his membership in the Royal Canadian Legion and The Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. During his career he was active in sports with places on many RCAF Hockey and Curling Teams. He volunteered his time freely and was instrumental in the running of several Base/ Station Movie Theatres and Base Chapel Affairs Committees. After retirement, Don was happy to help others as a part of the Meals on Wheels organization.

Most of all, Don loved spending time with his family, travelling to and with them, enjoying time with them at home and his campsite trailer. A lover of animals, he was rarely without a dog at his side. A loving father and a much-cherished “Opa” to his grand and great-grandchildren, he was a friend to many around the world and will be missed greatly.

Cremation has taken place, and an internment service and celebration of life will be held at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in West Northfield, at a later date.

The family wishes to thank those that made Don’s later years more comfortable. Among many, we would note daughter Donna McKeigan, the late Gerry Dunphy, and the staffs at Ottawa’s Royal Hospital and Trent Valley Nursing Home.

Donations in memory of Don to the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health would be appreciated. Donations link, online guestbook and sharing memories at https://www.rushnellfuneralhomes.com/memorials/donald-zinck/5353440/index.php