Donald Victor Smale passed away on Thursday, October 11, 2001 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Donald was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on August 20, 1926 to Wilfred and Elizabeth Smale. He was educated at Westward and Central School as well as Portage Collegiate. Donald joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1944 and served overseas on the HMCS Ontario. He was discharged in January 1946. Donald went on to work for Army Fire Service in MacDonald, Manitoba and was transferred to Churchill, Manitoba in 1949. He met and later married Evelyn McLeson on September 9, 1950. They resided in Churchill, Manitoba until September 1956 when they were posted to Shilo. Together they raised three children. Donald and Evelyn moved to Brandon in 1981. He retired from the Canadian Forces Fire Service in 1986. Donald built a cabin at Ditch Lake in the early 60's. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, camper and loved his garden. Donald had a great sense of humour and told many a "tall tale". He is survived by his daughter, Gerry (Byron); sons, Ken (Sharon), and Garry (Penny); grandchildren, Kurt, Dwayne, Terry and Greg Bryden, Andrea and Kevin Smale, Donald, Darren and Jennifer Smale; sisters, Phyllis (Charlie) Kennell of Winnipeg, Peggy (Gordie) Lumsden of Portage la Prairie; and brother, Gerald (Butch) Smale of Victoria, B.C. Donald was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn on October 30, 2000; parents, Wilfred and Elizabeth Smale; sister, Jean Irving; brothers, James and William Smale. Cremation has taken place. The cremated remains were placed at the Brandon Cemetery Columbarium. Donations in memory of Donald may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2B7 or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 824 - 18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5B7. Special thanks to all the staff at the Assiniboine Centre and special neighbours, Barb Clark and Len Battersby. Don always had a smile, a joke and a kind word for all. He will be lovingly missed by his family and friends.