It is with great sadness that the Rutley family announces the passing of Donald James Rutley. He was born on Aug. 13th, 1929 and left us on Nov. 2nd, 2010.
Don and his family left a homestead in Northern Saskatchewan and came to Rosedale in 1947 when he was 18. He met the love of his life, Nell Easson, at a United Church Social and they married in 1951. They built their first house on the Rutley property in Popkum and lived there until they moved to the Easson farm on Gibson Rd. in 1959. In 1977 they built their second house back on the original property and have lived there ever since.
He started as a logger during his early married years and then got on with the Department of Highways where he worked until his retirement in 1987, after 35 years of service. Don was a tireless worker and he loved life and helping people.
Family came first and foremost, especially his grandchildren, and Don could often be found in the bleachers cheering them on in whatever sport they participated in, and there were many. He made friends wherever he went and was an active, lifelong member of Rosedale United Church, Camp River Hall Society, and the Canadian Guernsey Breeders Assn., as well as being a 4H leader for 10 years. He was also a board member for Cultus Lake United Church Camp for many years and spent countless hours up at the camp helping out.
He believed in reduce, reuse and recycle and gleaning before it became popular, and almost anything you needed could be found in his shop or the back of his truck. He loved working outdoors and could always be found fixing something, or scrounging logs to cut up for lumber or firewood. He loved picking blackberries, blueberries, apples or walnuts which he would give away to others as there was always more than he could use.
He also loved to visit family and friends, and hardly a day went by where there wasn’t someone dropping in for mid-morning coffee. His favorite holiday was to drive back to the prairies to visit friends and relatives, but he always had to get back home because there was something to be done at the church or for his family. His spirit will dwell here forever.
Don will be greatly missed by his wife of 59 years, Nell, his sisters Margretrose (Doug) Brunner and Lorna (Gil) Pettigrew, his children, Douglas (Michele), Bruce (Lois), Robert (Mary), Scott (Sharon), Triena, and daughter-in-law Karen, 14 grandchildren, Morgan (Tyler), Brock, Pearce, Brendan, Ryan, Trevor, Adel (Dale), Sabrina (John), Grant (Crystal), Robin, Christina, Aidan, Alexis, Shane, and Raylene, great-grandchildren Levi and Safira, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to pass on thanks to the staff on NU3 at CGH and Cascade Hospice for their wonderful care of Don and family during his final days.
A celebration of his life is planned for Monday, Nov. 8th at 2:00 PM at Chilliwack United Church, 45835 Spadina Ave., Chilliwack with a tea to follow at Camp River Hall. Memorial donations can be made to the Cultus Lake United Church Camp, a place very dear to his heart.
Online condolences can be left at www.hendersonsfunerals.com