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Private Memorial Service
Obituary of Don Evans Simpson
Please click here to view the livestream of the service
September 25, 1943 – June 15, 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Don Evans Simpson. He was predeceased by his wife Mary in December 2020; parents Orville and Margaret Simpson; and brother Ken Simpson. Don truly was one of a kind. He leaves us with his sense of humour, gift of the gab and a masterful ability to spin a tale that only a barber with over 55 years behind a chair could do. Don is survived by his sons Darren and Mark (Nadine); his three cherished grandchildren Kyle, Hayle and Ryan; sister Jean (Doug) Bast; brother John Simpson, sister-in-law Donna-Lee (Carl) Rothe; brother-in-law Jim Munro; and many nieces and nephews.
Don was born and raised in Nokomis, SK. He never did quite get his grade twelve, but always claimed “sure I did – I took grade 6 twice!” That was Dad. Upon finishing his Grade 9, he left Nokomis at 16 years old and pursued a career in barbering getting his training at the Moler School of Barbering in Regina in 1960. That path took him to Strasbourg, SK where the barber shop and pool hall were the same place – and it was in Strasbourg where he met his life’s love Mary, marrying her in 1964.
In Regina, “Don the Barber” was at the corner of 11th Avenue and Ottawa Street for 50 years. Don’s Barber Shop was a staple of 11th Avenue over the years, and he’d always proudly let a person know that he outlasted all the businesses that were there when he started out. He was indeed a hard-working man who cared about his craft and the people he got to know over the years - evidenced by the multiple generations of families who called Don their barber, with those relationships stretching over his years behind the chair. As a family, we are truly humbled by the stories we’ve heard of Dad being so connected to families over the years.
Don was a people person and always tried to connect with those who sat in his chair over the years. Be it Canadian legend and boxer George Chuvalo when he was in Regina, to every-day people who lived and grew up in the Core area – Dad kept a poster of missing child Tamra Keepness in his window until the day he retired in 2015. He saw many things (good and bad) over the years and was happy for the families and people that went on to do wonderful things. And, most times, he’d also be able to tell you all about some random person walking past the barber shop window. Don believed in opportunity for all, no matter what background a person may be from. He believed in hard work and that one’s efforts were valuable and ultimately would be rewarded.
In his younger years, Dad loved the outdoors and was an avid outdoorsman and a significant part of the Regina Wildlife Federation. As he aged the thrill of the hunt diminished to the point where he stated “I’d rather watch the deer live and drink from the stream and do its thing, as it is a beautiful sight, and they are not hurting anyone…” And of course, one could not forget about Dad’s police scanner blasting away in the barber shop or at home – Don loved knowing about everything that was going on in Regina, and those police scanners were his sidekick over all the years.
When Dad retired in 2015, the Regina Leader-Post did a wonderful article which summed him up very well (https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/after-more-than-50-years-old-school-regina-barber-hangs-em-up). Additionally, in the mid-90’s he was the topic of a university student’s documentary video “Shave and a Haircut” (https://vimeo.com/50712371).
Don always had a joke ready to go – and in this case we know his line would be “I’m not cutting hair any longer, just shorter….”
When Darren and Mark were young, he’d always close up the barber shop for a week in the summer for the family vacation – and simply put a sign in the window stating “Gone Fishing - even a barber needs a holiday!” Dad, you’ve fully earned your holiday. Losing you and Mom just 6 months apart is not an easy road, but the road keeps going and as you always said – “it’s not about what’s behind you, it’s what is ahead of you that matters - you don’t drive with the rear view mirror.” We will carry on with those wise words looking ahead best we can, and are at peace and comfort knowing that you and Mom are now back together again.
Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private memorial service will be held on Friday, June 25, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. To view the livestream of this service please click the link to Speers TV at the top of the obituary.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish donations in Dad’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice or one that you feel Dad would have thought could use a little help.
Please click here to view Don's photobook
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