Obituary of Donald Robert Ganshorn
Donald, late of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at the age of 87 years. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Helen (Heinzig); mother Theresa (Bender) in 1937; father Michael; stepmother Laura (McEachern); brothers Clarence (Margaret), Willis (Alice), and Milton (Hazel); and sister Ethel Fader (William). Here to treasure his memories, Don is survived by his son Robert; daughter Jo-Ann (Brian); grandsons Josh and Dylan; brother Lawrence (Ruth); sister Leone; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
We are so proud of our hard-working dad. After attending Balfour Collegiate, dad proudly served in the Active Force of The Canadian Army for three years. After his Army service, he returned to Regina and worked for about a year before finally being hired by the Regina Fire Department on February 1, 1954. Dad retired as Fire Marshall, Prevention Division, on July 31, 1987 after over 33 years of dedicated service to our city. He would often speak of the “shenanigans” of his early days as a firefighter (and we won’t mention what they called that “special soup” they used to make at the Fire Hall). As I sit and ponder my dad’s career, I wonder how many people are alive TODAY, because my dad was there putting out a house fire; carrying someone down a ladder; teaching those children about fire prevention, or finding that faulty wiring in an office or apartment building. We are proud!
Our dad always had a love for radio, and was an avid amateur radio operator for many years. Flying was another passion that dad had, and in his Pilot Log Book he noted his first solo flight on July 27, 1957. Dad would take our family flying in the 1970’s, and we enjoyed many wonderful times at the Regina Flying Club. A love for music as well, dad could play piano, organ, guitar and the harmonica! He also loved photography, and for a time he had his own darkroom set up in the basement of our home.
Our family wishes to thank the amazing staff at Autumn Personal Care Home for their excellent and dedicated care of our dad. The care and compassion that you showed to our dad was truly a gift to us, and we sincerely thank each and every one of you! We will never forget how you showed love and honour to our dad, even when he was unable to understand that you were; God bless you!
Visitation for family and friends will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK, on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. A private family interment will be held in Riverside Memorial Park on Monday, October 7, 2019.
