Obituary
MALTBY _ Donald George Johnstone (August 3rd, 1917 - April 7, 2005) Don Maltby died peacefully early last Thursday morning at the Lions Gate Hospital after a lengthy illness. His witty humour was very much noted amongst and appreciated by the hospital staff right up to the last few days. He was predeceased less than two years ago by his wife, Jean Alice Maltby. Theirs was a productive and energetic relationship that spanned 62 years. Obvious to all who knew him, he had greatly missed her warm presence over the past couple of years. At his bedside right to the end was his loving sister, Kathleen Phyllis Jackson and his daughter, Helen. His oldest son, Donald Junior had sadly also passed away in 1989. His grandson Miles and his only daughter Helen, both residents of the Lower Mainland, have now lost a close friend and companion. Helen, especially was fond of going for long drives on the weekends with her father and listening to his discussions of past adventures, which were indeed many. His remaining son, Rod (Rawdon) and granddaughter Larissa, grandson Graiden, all residing in Comox, Vancouver Island, will miss his keen insight into the politics of this country. Definitely, Dinners were never boring. Don Maltby will be missed at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club where he had been a very active participant and regular competitor for many years. His past trophies will attest to that keen sense of competition. And of course, the daily crib players can attest to his jovial mental acuity during the past few years. It was in Gander, Newfoundland where Donald Maltby as a Flight Lieutenant, Squadron leader in the coastal submarine patrol met Jean Owen his wife 'to be', who also as an officer was stationed at the hospital. After the war ended, he served as a test pilot, and was involved with the first instrumentation 'blind' flying. The commercial airlines of today owe thanks to his like. Upon discharge, he and his family moved out to BC. Locating a small hillside farm in the Cloverdale area, he tried a bit of farming but Don's interest and disciplined nature soon turned to business. With an absolute desire to achieve results for his business clients in the logging, mining and transportation industries, Don quickly built up the Nelson and Harvey Customs Brokerage at the Blaine border crossing. Due to financial success, he then moved his family out to Whytecliff, West Vancouver. It was after this period of his life that Don began to really enjoy the fruits of his labours. His constant motto, "Work in the morning, play in the afternoon" worked admirably. Competition was a major part of his nature along with an unusual high degree of ambition and a desire to complete a well done job. His honesty and integrity will be missed by those who knew him. That, as well as his political humor. Sometimes people took him seriously, and then again, those who knew him just laughed and enjoyed the debates. A remembrance of Don's life will be held on April 24th at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Published in the Vancouver Sun on 4/14/2005.
[posted to Rootsweb's Canada-Obits mailing list 14 Apr 2005 by Dennice Goudie]
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1917 - 2005 (87 years)
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