Obituary for Donald Martin Robertson
Robertson, Donald Martin
March 5, 1935, Montreal
On the evening of Sunday, May 30th, 2021 our Family’s centering strength, peacefully departed this earth to meet his Heavenly Father. For the days prior to his death, Don was surrounded by his loving family, Stephanie, his wife, friend and life-partner of over 70 years and their children Jim (Cathy), Christine (George), Elizabeth (Bob), Janet (Darrell), and Margaret (Gerry). Being gifted this extended time before Don’s passing
and with the limited ability to be at his bedside, scriptures were read, hymns sung, stories and memories shared and many, many laughs about family get-togethers, successes and misadventures always with Don leading the way.
A warm thanks to the special doctors, nurses and staff at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital Palliative Care Unit and to Jean and Isi for the many months you took care of Don at home and treated him as if he was your father. You are now and will always be part of our extended family.
Don joins his parents Percy and Christina (Rowly), his sister Caroline and brother John (Betty). After obtaining his BComm from McGill University and his CA with Price Waterhouse, Don fashioned a successful career in the Canadian pulp and paper industry. In 1973, with a move to Ottawa, Don and two friends set up a financial and operational consultancy and purchased an existing CA firm that would eventually become Robertson&Hill. Over the years, Don was able to mentor many young accountants and he took great pride in their work and accomplishments. His Christian faith led Don to many volunteer leadership roles, including Sermons From Science (Expo 67), Wycliffe Bible Translators and the integration of the first wave of Cambodian refugees to Canada, settling in Ottawa. When you got to know Don, you became friends for life.
Don loved his food and the fellowship that came with it around a large dining table. He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy, with choice and gravy being key operatives. He did love his condiments as well. When it came to dessert, it was always “I will have a bit of everything please”.
Importantly for Don (Grampa) and Stephanie (Gramma) family was viewed as a gift to be nurtured and developed. While Grampa may not have been able to teach all his kids how to multiply two, three-digit numbers in their heads he quickly corrected course with their 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, who are now spread all over the world. Grampa’s time was limitless for his brood. Larger gatherings normally centered around the cottage at Lac des Isles in the Laurentians. The drives to and from the cottage always were an event and took much longer than normal, stopping for steamed hotdogs, poutine and an ice cream cone from Lowe’s Dairy in Lachute. Rising early, Grampa was always floating around the dock in a dingy with a few kids aboard. After that, it was all about water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing. Grampa was able to claim he slalom skied into his sixties and went white water rafting in his seventies, urged on by the kids. Grampa and the kids were always building something from leftover materials. The highlights included the fort in the boathouse rafters and the swing in the old pine tree. For Grampa, it did not matter if you were an academic, aspiring ballerina, a gymnast, a dirt bike enthusiast, a basketball or hockey player, he was always there to cheer you on.
With the travel limits placed by COVID restrictions, a celebration of Don’s life will take place later in the summer of 2021 when family can hopefully travel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s name can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators at the linnk provided below would be most appreciated.
--------->>> Donate to Wycliffe Bible Translators
March 5, 1935, Montreal
On the evening of Sunday, May 30th, 2021 our Family’s centering strength, peacefully departed this earth to meet his Heavenly Father. For the days prior to his death, Don was surrounded by his loving family, Stephanie, his wife, friend and life-partner of over 70 years and their children Jim (Cathy), Christine (George), Elizabeth (Bob), Janet (Darrell), and Margaret (Gerry). Being gifted this extended time before Don’s passing
and with the limited ability to be at his bedside, scriptures were read, hymns sung, stories and memories shared and many, many laughs about family get-togethers, successes and misadventures always with Don leading the way.
A warm thanks to the special doctors, nurses and staff at the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital Palliative Care Unit and to Jean and Isi for the many months you took care of Don at home and treated him as if he was your father. You are now and will always be part of our extended family.
Don joins his parents Percy and Christina (Rowly), his sister Caroline and brother John (Betty). After obtaining his BComm from McGill University and his CA with Price Waterhouse, Don fashioned a successful career in the Canadian pulp and paper industry. In 1973, with a move to Ottawa, Don and two friends set up a financial and operational consultancy and purchased an existing CA firm that would eventually become Robertson&Hill. Over the years, Don was able to mentor many young accountants and he took great pride in their work and accomplishments. His Christian faith led Don to many volunteer leadership roles, including Sermons From Science (Expo 67), Wycliffe Bible Translators and the integration of the first wave of Cambodian refugees to Canada, settling in Ottawa. When you got to know Don, you became friends for life.
Don loved his food and the fellowship that came with it around a large dining table. He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy, with choice and gravy being key operatives. He did love his condiments as well. When it came to dessert, it was always “I will have a bit of everything please”.
Importantly for Don (Grampa) and Stephanie (Gramma) family was viewed as a gift to be nurtured and developed. While Grampa may not have been able to teach all his kids how to multiply two, three-digit numbers in their heads he quickly corrected course with their 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, who are now spread all over the world. Grampa’s time was limitless for his brood. Larger gatherings normally centered around the cottage at Lac des Isles in the Laurentians. The drives to and from the cottage always were an event and took much longer than normal, stopping for steamed hotdogs, poutine and an ice cream cone from Lowe’s Dairy in Lachute. Rising early, Grampa was always floating around the dock in a dingy with a few kids aboard. After that, it was all about water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing. Grampa was able to claim he slalom skied into his sixties and went white water rafting in his seventies, urged on by the kids. Grampa and the kids were always building something from leftover materials. The highlights included the fort in the boathouse rafters and the swing in the old pine tree. For Grampa, it did not matter if you were an academic, aspiring ballerina, a gymnast, a dirt bike enthusiast, a basketball or hockey player, he was always there to cheer you on.
With the travel limits placed by COVID restrictions, a celebration of Don’s life will take place later in the summer of 2021 when family can hopefully travel.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s name can be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators at the linnk provided below would be most appreciated.
--------->>> Donate to Wycliffe Bible Translators