Obituary of Donald Kingsbury

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Donald Arthur Kingsbury of Ottawa. He died peacefully on April 29, 2022 at the age of 88 after a brief stay at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

Don was born May 29, 1933 in Ottawa and raised his own family in Hull, Quebec, before moving them back to Ottawa in 1973. He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ramsay on September 8, 1956 and during their 65 years together, they had four children, Ted (Judith), Tom (Barbara), Jim  (Jacqueline) and Heather (Patrick). He was predeceased by his parents George Clifford and Mary (Frazer) Kingsbury, as well as his elder siblings Frazer, Ken and Helen (Harold Cook).  Cherished brother-in-law of Betty Kingsbury, Keith and Pat Ramsay, Barb and Jerry Ramsay, Shirley (Jack) Spence, Joe and Diane Dubois, Dawn and Bette McGregor, Mary (Earl) MacDonald, as well as his many nieces and nephews with fond memories of family picnics and shared gatherings.

Don is survived by his many grandchildren, all of whom he adored: Chelsea, Geordon, Stefanie, Maxim, Shelby, Ryan, Greg and Kimberly; and his first great-grandchild who is expected in July.  He was so very proud of his grandchildren and always happy and eager to spend quality time with them, often engaging them in conversation to debate current events, how they were making out in their work, school, music, sports, and always lending support and advice as only a grandfather could.

A great storyteller, Don was a man of detail and took a keen interest in the genealogy of the Kingsbury family history. He possessed an extraordinary work ethic and spent his entire career working at E.B. Eddy Forest Products and was proud that he never missed a day of work in his 40 year career before retiring in 1991. 

Family gatherings were always treasured times where fine food, good laughter and engaging conversation were always present.  Don was a life-long learner, well read, and always eager to debate his perspective on a wide variety of topics with anyone he encountered. Don was an accomplished athlete and stayed active throughout his life enjoying golf, curling, tennis, badminton and bowling, as well as playing baseball with Beth for many years with the Ottawa 60+ Softball league.  In retirement and right up to the end, he stayed active and mobile by following a strict fitness regime that he thoroughly enjoyed.  Don was profoundly blessed to have a long, happy, prosperous life surrounded by a loving family and devoted friends - his was a life well lived. His family would like to extend their gratitude to the Neurological and Palliative teams for their compassionate care throughout his brief stay at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, or to your favourite charity.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life Gathering on Friday, June 10, 2022 between 2:00 p.m. and  4:00 p.m. at the Pinecrest Visitation Centre, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa.  A private burial will take place at the Pinecrest Cemetery.