Obituary of Donald Charles Mallard

Donald Charles Mallard September 17, 1933 - February 9, 2019 It's with sadness that the Mallard Family announces the passing of Donald Charles Mallard "Don", beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. Don was born in Wainwright Alberta, to Charlie and Gertrude Mallard on the 17th of September 1933. During the winter of 1941 the family moved to Cranbrook, BC, soon after purchasing the PQ ranch south of Fort Steele. He attended school in Fort Steele with older brother Wallace and younger sister Della, later attending school in Cranbrook. At 16 years of age he decided to join the work force, which took him into many facets of the logging industry. In August of 1958 he married Nori Sakowich (Ralph), a hot little brunette from Goodsoil, Saskatchewan. Don's name was synonymous with the logging industry in the Kootenays. He was a skilled faller and cat skinner, and later was promoted to logging supervisor in the Cranbrook area. He was instrumental in implementing the faller safety program with CFI in 1984. This program has since been expanded to cover the entire province. After his retirement in 1995 Don and Nori enjoyed travelling, visiting places such as Virginia, the Yukon, Hawaii, and many places in between. Don spent much of his time surrounded by his son's and their families. He was loved immensely by his 11 grandchildren, and 21 (and one in the oven) great grandchildren. In the last year Don's health declined due to dementia, but he never lost his sense of humor, or the strength in his grip. Don is predeceased by his parents Charlie and Gertrude, his brother Wallace, his sister Della, and his grandson Brant. Don is survived by his wife Nori, his son's Jess (Darcy), Jason (Linnea) and Jig (Roxanne); his grandchildren Landis (Joe) Galandy, Ryan Mallard (mother Alana Atwood), Maddi (Justin) Taylor, Jaron (Tiffany) Mallard, Jaylin (David) Mendenhall, Brenna (Neil) Fajnor, Caity (Brandon) Pighin, Jen (Brent) Scarff, Colin Mallard and Rory Mallard (Kara Lethbridge); his great grandchildren Wyatt, Lisa, Ashley and Addi Galandy; Tuck and Braylynn Taylor; Mackinley, Macey, Cooper, Walker and Hudson Mallard; Braxton, Sawyer and Mason Mendenhall; Laiken, Ranin, Brantlyn and Corbin Fajnor; Lexyss and Chet Pighin; and Halle Scarff.. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make donations to support his great grandson Mason Mendhenall (age 3) who is battling cancer, can be sent care of Jason Mallard, 854 Wardner-Fort Steele Road, Fort Steele, BC, V0B 1N0. A celebration of life will be held Saturday February 16th from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm at the Eagles Hall located at 715 Kootenay Street North in Cranbrook, BC. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com