DONALD JAMES MacEACHERN

Donald James MacEachern passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 1, 2014 while comforted by his beloved wife and family.
Don was born May 30, 1934 and grew up in Glace Bay (Cape Breton), N.S.
He attended St. Francis Xavier University and initially got a taste for mining during the summers he spent in Newfoundland. After finishing school, he headed west to travel around Canada.
Don’s career in mining started as an underground miner in Lavack, Ont. for the Inco Mining Corp. He next went to work in South Africa, where he spent a year traveing and doing exploration work for Inco.
He eventually settled in Fort Frances, Ont., where he met his wife, Colleen, and started a family. From his home base in Fort Frances, Don spent the next 40 years in mining exploration, walking throughout many remote areas of Canada (or as Don liked to say, “out in the bush”).
In 1994, Don and his partner, Keith Allen, lightheartedly formed the “Grubstake Exploration Company” and staked numerous claims between Emo and Rainy River, which currently are in development by the New Gold mining company.
Although Don did not live to see the final outcome of this venture, he would have thoroughly enjoyed watching the project unfold.
Don loved a glass of Scotch while listening to Irish music. He was an avid runner and also a proficient boxer in his younger days.
Don always had a positive outlook and a great sense of humour about life. His adaptable nature and “can do” attitude were contagious to everyone he met.
He loved to laugh and spend time with his family and numerous friends, which he had from all over the world. His enormous presence and generous spirit will be greatly missed.
Don is survived by his wife, Colleen; three children, Geoff (Heather), Shannon (Hans), and Tara; sisters, Sara Beaton, and Josepha and Christine MacEachern; sisters-in-law, Ann McLeod and Patricia Dittaro; and various nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Rebecca and John MacEachern; sister, Katherine MacEachern; and brothers-in-law, Augustine Beaton, Lloyd Langstaff, and John Dittaro.
A service will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Fort Frances.
A reception will follow at 3 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort Frances.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts, 618-9th St. N., Kenora, Ont., P9N 2S9 (1-800-682-0245).