Donald Chapman

William Donald “Don” Chapman

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Don Chapman of St. Claude, Manitoba on June 28, 2015 at the age of 68 years.

He leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife of 37 years, Rose (nee Viallet); his daughter Aimée Chapman of High Bluff, Manitoba and son James (Meaghan) Chapman and granddaughter Olivia of Niverville, Manitoba. Also, to mourn his passing his sister Muriel (Fraser) McIntosh, his brother Bob (Jill), his aunts Betty and Violet; as well as Rose’s family, her mother, Solange Viallet, Thérèse (Auguste), Cecile, Louis (Suzanne), Germaine, Daniel (Jean), Michel (Lorraine), Annette, Robert, Hubert (Liliane), Nicole (Gerald); as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Mabel, his father-in-law Henri Viallet and his brothers-in-law Leon Duval and Joseph Viallet, and by three sisters-in-law Gisèle Vuignier, Gisèle Desrochers and Cheryl Chapman.

Don grew up in LaRiviere and later Manitou but St. Claude became his home. First and foremost Don was an educator. As a teacher, he tried to instil in his students a love of history and political science through song, gossipy tidbits (he finally got to see where Rasputin was killed) and through the friendly Election Day pools. Don also championed his colleagues' rights and served as the local MTS president and Salary Negotiator in Mountain School Division.

As a sports enthusiast, Don went through an evolution of first playing fastball, soccer (torn Achilles' tendon) and curling. He moved on to being a baseball umpire, a soccer official and a curling coach although, he did admit that he could never throw a decent out turn. He became a track and field official and was a proud owner of an autograph of the gold winning track team featuring Donovan Bailey.

In recent years, Don was more of an arm chair athlete. He followed our local Brodie Gobin's progress in golf. He cheered on the Jets, always had a soft spot for Sid the Kid and took great interest in Johnaton Toews' pursuit of the Stanley cup. Don enjoyed going to watch first class curling events. He followed FIFA soccer and woefully expressed concern on the fate of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Don served as St. Claude mayor and councillor for many years. He took his civic duty seriously and believed in giving back to the community. Don took pride in our little village and St. Claude was his home. He was a volunteer extraordinaire and helped out wherever he could.

In retirement, Don continued to serve as a driver for CancerCare, Meals on Wheels, was chairman of the St. Claude Health Foundation and became a member of the St. Claude tourism committee. He enjoyed taking photos for the Gazette and was always on the look out for human interest stories to share with the readers.

Don was a private loving family man, a world traveller, an educator, a life long student, a colleague, a community supporter, a volunteer, a jokester, a trivia master but most of all a friend. He touched and inspired people in may different ways. He will be missed.

A celebration of life was held in the St. Claude Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, July 2, 2015, at 2:00 pm with Mgr. Roger Bazin officiating. Cremation has taken place and interment of the ashes will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Claude Health Foundation, Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the CancerCare Manitoba.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca

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