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Donald Law

September 6th, 1932 - September 27th, 2022
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Donald Robert Law

6 September 1932 – 27 September 2022

Donald Law passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 27th at the age of 90, with his daughter Renay by his side holding his hand.

He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 67 years, Valerie; children: Erwin and Renay; his grandchildren: Christopher and Francis; his great grandchild Sarah; his nieces and nephew Leigh, Michelle, and Dean; daughter in-law: Connie; son in-law: Istvan; and many more family members and friends in B.C., England, Scotland, Portugal, and South Africa.

Donald was born 6 September 1932 in Durban, South Africa.  He worked diligently with the South African Railways for many years.  He honed his soccer skills with his work mates, which led him to becoming an accomplished goal keeper eventually training with the Durban City Football Club.  Donald also worked weekends with bookmakers at the horse racecourses.  He thoroughly enjoyed the horse races, however, never placed a single bet.  Advocating an active lifestyle, Donald also became an avid lawn bowler, playing for many years in South Africa.  Upon emigrating from South Africa to Canada in 2000, he played and coached lawn bowls eventually winning the Senior Triples.  Additionally, Donald spent many years as a Freemason.

He was always proud to share the moments and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Celebration of life will be held at a date to be announced.


Tributes

Rudy Ellerton
October 7th, 2022

Sending my deepest condolences for the loss of your dad. Don was a great man, blessed with a heart of gold and good sense of humour. Glad to hear you were with him. Marcia and I send our condolences for your loss

John Brown
October 7th, 2022

What a sad day. Don was one of the most likable person I even met. My condolences to you all.

Gabby Bunea
October 7th, 2022

Rest in peace Uncle Donald. Aunty Val, Nay and Istvan, your hearts must be broken and my heart goes out to you at this difficult time for the sad loss of Uncle Donald. So special that you got him onto messenger and we could have the occasional chat. Love you all lots and big hugs from us xx

Tansin Mac Nicol
October 7th, 2022

So sorry to hear this sad news Renay. My condolences to Nana and the family. Big hugs and love to all. Gubby was such a gentleman. RIP Gubby 🙏 ❤️

Clint Clarke
October 7th, 2022

I am so sorry to hear the Sad news. Uncle Don was a Great man and I feel Honoured and Blessed to have known him. My condolences to Aunty Val, You, Irwin and the rest of your Family. RIP Uncle Don. ❤️❤️

Brent Diewold
October 7th, 2022

A true gentlemen, he will be missed. Sincere condolences to Don's family.

Michael Ainge
October 7th, 2022

Sorry to hear the sad news of Don's passing . My sincere condolences to you and your family

John Sinclair
October 7th, 2022

Sad news condolences to all the family Rip Don 🙏

Sandy Liversage
October 7th, 2022

Very sad news, my derpest sympathy and condolences to the Law family and any friends.RIP Donald

Vernon Wentzel
October 7th, 2022

Sadly missed blessings to familys

Nola Allen
October 7th, 2022

There are no words when you lose your father. Aunt Val....Nay...Bob hugs to you all. So very glad you had him so long..❤️

Rhea Gwynn
October 7th, 2022

My deepest condolences to Val, Rene and all your family. I can see a huge Lodge meeting happening now, when all the Brothers meet up again!

Gill Deighton Weir
October 7th, 2022

So sorry to hear the sad news. Sincere condolences to Val and the family

Royston Rudham
October 7th, 2022

Sad sad news,RIP Donald.

Coreen Brost
October 7th, 2022

I Am Honoured to Have Such a Fine Gentleman in My Life’s Journey Thank You Don ❤️ RIP

Leigh Church
October 7th, 2022

RIP Uncle Don 💙

Brian Hardie
October 7th, 2022

Condolences to all the family. R. I. P.

Tubby Luckan
October 7th, 2022

Condolences to fam nd friends..RIP..big guy..also knew him 50 odd years

Barry Sanders
October 7th, 2022

My sincere condolences & deepest sympathy to Donald Law's family.I must have first watched Donald wearing his yellow polo neck goal keeping jersey playing in goals for Queens Park possibly in 1954.I am going to miss your calls.Rest in Peace.

Stewart Sutherland
October 7th, 2022

RIP my brother.
My love and condolences to everyone in the family, especially Val.

Dawn Bragin
October 7th, 2022

Condolences to all the family. RIP uncle Donald.

Derek Smethurst
October 7th, 2022

Condolences to the Law family - always polite - a lovely fellow!

Brummie de Leur
October 7th, 2022

Very sad indeed.RIP Don and condolences to the family

Arthur du Plessis
October 7th, 2022

I am so sorry been a friend for over 60 years RIP Donald condolences to the family stay strong Renay love to you

Michelle Bayley
October 7th, 2022

A beloved Uncle

Anita McCaw
October 7th, 2022

So sorry, a real gentleman.

Elizabeth Ann Bergoff Amos
October 7th, 2022

RÌP Gubby xx

Glen Taylor
October 7th, 2022

RIP Don. My memories of you will last forever. I need to extend my heartfelt condolences to Val, his family, and his friends.

Anthony Ko
October 7th, 2022

Dear Donald, God be with you today

Johnny Louch
October 7th, 2022

Terribly sad to hear of Don's passing. He played a huge role in my life as a young football pro at DURBAN CITY FC. RIP BIG MAN AND CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY THE EXPRO BOYS. ⚽❤️🙏

Dave Baldwin
October 7th, 2022

A true Gentleman, RIP, DON.

Duncan Andrews
October 7th, 2022

Although bowls isn't currently part of my summers anymore, I will never forget the times that I got to spend playing against, with, and under the direction of Don. He gave so much to the bowls community in Maple Ridge, the V and D, and BC. Condolences.

Paul Choi
October 7th, 2022

RIP Don

George-Joan Cubiss
October 7th, 2022

One of the finest gentleman one would wish to meet. Good night my friend. You will be missed. RIP Don

Fred Fong
October 7th, 2022

RIP Don

Ed Bee
October 7th, 2022

Rest In Peace Don. It’s hard to believe you are gone. While I haven’t seen you in years through Lawn Bowling because of my own stepping back I’ve enjoyed staying in touch via Facebook. RIP and condolences to the whole family. The world got a little bit dimmer with your passing.

Gary Robinson
October 7th, 2022

R I P Don.

Nita Clarke
October 7th, 2022

R.I.P DON

Eugene Maxwell
October 7th, 2022

RIP Don you will be sadly missed. Don was my first skip when I started bowling. He gave me lots of good tips that I still use today. A sad day condolences to Val and her family.

Tansin Mac Nicol
October 7th, 2022

RIP Gubby

Vanessa DeBeer
October 7th, 2022

Rest in Peace Donald, true friend, will be sadly missed. Terry will miss his conversations with him a lot. They will have to communicate through the angels. xxx

Mary Ann Gillies
October 7th, 2022

I knew Don through lawn bowls, a sport to which he gave countless hours of time as a player and as a volunteer - including years of running provincial competitions in BC. I admired and respected Don and enjoyed his company and that of Val's during those years. My condolences to Val, all his family and his many friends. He will be greatly missed. 💔

Clint Clarke
October 7th, 2022

RIP Uncle Don

Tom Bryce
October 7th, 2022

Don was a fantastic man, I'll miss him. God rest his sole.

Mark Dykman
October 7th, 2022

Very sad Renay much love to and family

Margaret Byrne
October 7th, 2022

Hi Val sorry to hear of Donald's passing. Love to you all'X

Gary Brown
October 7th, 2022

My deepest condolences to all Donald's family. RIP Donald from an old teammate from the Durban City days

Connie Law
October 7th, 2022

RIP Gubby - A husband for nearly 70 years to Val (Nana) Father to Erwin and Renay, Grandfather to Chris and Francis and Great Grandfather to beautiful Sarah. Your laughter, sarcasm and humor but mostly your concern for every member of the family will be missed - Fly High Gubby much love xxxx

Terry de Beer
October 6th, 2022

I was saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and Brother, Donald.
We left SA at about the same time when the sane people gave away a functional country to a bunch of nutters who have torn the %&@# out of it and made it totally dysfunctional. Don to Canada and me to Portugal where we lived in peace, love and harmony.
The Great Architect of the Universe chose Donald to sit with him in the Grand Lodge above. We kept in contact over the years for which I am eternally thankful. He was one of the good one's.
Please accept my condolences and pass them on to the whole family.

Right Worshipful Brother Terry de Beer
Past Provincial Assistant Grand Master
Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Lodge of Natal
Honorary Grand Deacon of Ireland.

I was his friend and I will miss him.
RIP Donald my Brother.

Ian Tyzzer
October 5th, 2022

I knew Don well during my time playing and working with Bowls BC and Bowls Canada. He was one of the most passionate bowlers I ever met and the bowling community has a lot to be grateful for, especially all those years he organized the Provincial competitions. He was a gentleman of the first order and he will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences.

Stewart Sutherland
October 4th, 2022

I first met Brother Donald in 1971 when I was initiated into Freemasonry as a young man by my father, Jimmy. Don and Val became good friends of our family and were frequent guests at our home.
When Don moved to Canada I was surprised that he continued to keep in touch with me and would telephone quite fequently, even having video calls in recent years.
I feel particularly sad as Don was my last link with Civic Lodge which closed down a number of years ago. Some of us then joined Marine Lodge, of which Donald had also been a member.
As soon as I heard of Don passing to the Grand Lodge above I telephoned Dave Patton, the former Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Natal, and a Past Master of Marine Lodge.
Dave said they would hold two minutes of silence in the lodge to commemorate the passing of such a wonderful Brother.
My love and condolences go to Val and all the members of the family.

Sharon Janson
October 3rd, 2022

I remember our bowling trip to South Africa in 2004. Many memories. My condolences to the family.

Klaudia
October 3rd, 2022

It has been a pleasure meeting Mr. Law and his family. His tenacious spirit and funny wit was always a hoot. He will be missed dearly.

With Love,

From all his friends in the Tri Cities.

Arthur Du Plessis
October 3rd, 2022

I've known Donald for over 63 years and never ever heard him say a bad thing about anyone. I am truly honored to have known Donald and privileged to have called him a friend. My sincere condolences to all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Lots of love Arthur ❤️

George &Joan Cubiss
October 3rd, 2022

Many of have friends but true friends you can can count on one hand. Don Law was a true friend, a gentleman, a man of integrity who always true to his word.

I was lucky enough to have met Don through Lawn Bowling as a member of Maple Ridge and also playing the Provincial tournaments when he was the Convenor.

His knowledge of the game was passed on to many of us through his coaching and lots of encouragement.

As a result we became good friends with Don and Val who makes the best Christmas cake ever.

We are going to miss you Don but we have many memories to cherish.

Thank you for being part of our lives.

Val and Renay, you are in our thoughts at this very sad time.

Dawn Bragin
October 2nd, 2022

A gentle, kind, family man. Always part of my childhood and teenage years. He will be missed by many family and friends. RIP uncle Donald.

Nola Allen
October 2nd, 2022

Will miss your messages and sense of humour. You had such a zest for life and sadly missed..Auntie Val....Nay....Bob and family my thoughts are with you all. At peace and with Bean and the rest of your loved once. Until we meet again have a good rest..xxxxx

John Brown
October 2nd, 2022

Don was one of the nicest men I have ever met. A wonderful husband and an awesome Father too. One could tell by the way he treated people and animals that he was all heart. Don became everyone's Father just by the care and concern he showed to all Renay's friends. His wide grin and warm handshake will be sorely missed. RIP, Don.

Tom Bryce
October 2nd, 2022

Don was a gentleman's gentlemen and he still loved a good joke. Will miss him on facebook.

Renay Law Bajkay
October 2nd, 2022

Dad, nearly a week has passed and I miss you so much.

I was always a Daddy’s girl and I can’t imagine doing life without you.

You loved me unconditionally, you were always so proud of everything I did, my biggest cheerleader.

There are so many amazing memories which I am sure will come back soon but right now all I feel is the void.

Thank You Dad, for being so patient, kind, loving and strict when you needed to be. You were the first man I loved and I was so glad to be there for you when you passed. I will always love you, my inspiration through life.

Hope you found your Mr Bean, your best friend. Until we meet again Dad you will live large in my heart and continue to guide me. Rest Dad, we are here for Mom xx

Marion Kruze
October 1st, 2022

Donald, you will be missed!!
You were kind with a great sense of humour, always willing to lend a hand .
You loved your family and all the animals that lived with you for years.
The occasional glass of scotch , a good BBQ and get togethers will be remembered .
Rest In Peace , walking Mr. Bean , watching over everyone .

Tansin Mac Nicol
October 1st, 2022

My sincere condolences to Nana and the family on the passing of Gubby.

A true true gentleman and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and mentor to all.

Always a laugh and good conversations and proud to show off your grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Rest well Gubby
You will be missed by all
Was an my honor to have known you.

Tansin xx

Istvan BAJKAY
September 30th, 2022

It has been a long haul Donald ... finally you are at peace. We worked through many challenges, and frustrations ... you endured .. this speaks to character and forbearance. Gone, but not forgotten ...

Thank you for being a part of our life for the past 27 years ...

God Bless, and rest well old friend ...

Istvan

Michelle Bayley
September 30th, 2022

My dearest Uncle Don
You were so much a part of our upbringing and I was always so respectfully scared of you.
I am honoured to be your niece and will miss you dearly.

Love always
Michelle

Leigh Church
September 30th, 2022

Uncle Don
Gary, Matthew,Ethan and I are so very saddened by your passing.

Our hearts are heavy but our thoughts are with Aunty Val, Renay , Erwin and their families at this sad time.

Your love for Aunty Val and your family was the central tenant of your life and guided everything you did.

You and Aunty Val have played a central role in my life for 62 years. I want to thank you both for all you done for me and in particular, you 'encouraging ' me to eat my vegies- despite that being an up hill battle.


A life well lived

Rest now Uncle Don. I will miss our regular FaceTime calls.
Your loving niece
Leigh Church

Connie
September 29th, 2022

Gubby - you were tough when I met you, you were so proud when i gave birth - you were in hospital and you sent a close friend Nana worked with Dr Leonard Sagorin the Top Allergy Paed in the country into my labour ward .......yes a natural birth and in he walks.....and delivered Chris together with Dad and Dr Batchelder we loved you forever, you loved your grandchildren and every morning you would drive to work at 4.30 in the morning and look at the flats and count to our flat and look for the red light in the Childrens room and phone me and tell me they were fast asleep you supported us so much and I will respect your wit, your laughter and your unity as a family forever xxxx RIP Gubby

Francis Law
September 29th, 2022

There are many things I can say about Gubby.

Always well dressed, humorous and sarcastic, he had a dignity about him that I have never seen in anyone else.

You will be missed, the times you taught me to play bowls at RDLI and Park Hill. Your lessons to help me be a better goalkeeper at soccer.

The words of wisdom that have never left me, "Do your best, no one can ask any more than that."

Losing you is more painful than anything I have endured.

Thank you for your guidance, patience, teachings, life lessons and love.

And one day I will teach my grandchildren the secret handshake you taught me.

I miss you gubby, wherever you are if there id an afterlifr or whichever belief is right or wrong, I will join you and look for you when the time comes for me to join you.

You fought valiantly, now it is your turn to rest and know that you will forever live on in the memories and hearts of all of us.

I love you. Thank you for being the best grandfather that I ever could have wished for.

Rest in peace, gubby.

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