Obituary of Donald John Gregor McKinnon

September 23, 1929 - August 21, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce that our dear father, Don McKinnon, passed away at the age of nearly 96. He leaves behind his four children: Sandra MacDougall (Robert), John McKinnon (Kimberlee), Margot McKinnon and Anne McKinnon; 10 cherished grandchildren: Lindsay, Fraser (Emily), Kristin, Kaleigh (Brandon), Kathryn (Matthew), Eric, Alex (Rhea), Danielle (Zach), Lauchlin and Elsbeth (Derrick); and five precious great-grandchildren: Sullivan, Maeve, River, Ainsley and Oliver. Following the death of Audrey in 1996, his wife, best friend and mother of his children, he enjoyed a decade of solo world travels. A talented painter, writer and storyteller, he extensively researched and published volumes of our family history—a gift to our family.  He married Rollande in 2009, who made his old age fun until her death in 2024. He will be missed by his sister Ellen, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his younger brothers Keith and Maurice.

Born and raised in Brandon, Manitoba to Beatrice and Malcolm, Don was a natural athlete who left home to study at Royal Military College in Kingston, where he excelled in sports and academics, and won several awards, before finishing his engineering degree at Queen’s University. He served as a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force before embarking on a long and interesting career with the Canadian Government in National Defence. This took him across Canada and around the world, including several years in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Among his lasting legacies was leading the SARSAT satellite communications project, which has saved countless lives and is still in use today. Upon leaving government, he enjoyed seven years at Advanced Information Technologies (AIT) before retirement.

Don was dedicated to his community and very service-oriented, volunteering for 27 years at the Ottawa Civic Hospital ICU family lounge, for which he was recognized with a Governor General’s medal. He also served as Chairman of the Quebec City Protestant School Board at a time when English-language schools were fighting to exist. He was an involved member of Cityview Curling club, skipping a team until he was 90, and gave many hours to committees at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. He loved playing golf at Irish Hills Golf Club. 

The family would like to thank the staff at the Chartwell Stillwater Creek, Ontario Health at Home and Carefor nurses, support workers, friends and family who visited in his last months. A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, October 4 at 11 a.m. at Pinecrest Cemetery (2500 Baseline Road).