Donald Eastman Holmes

Donald Eastman Holmes, of London Ontario, died peacefully and with family on September 16, 2024, at the age of 97. Born on February 2, 1927 in Stratford Ontario, he was a cherished husband, brother, father grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He was predeceased by the love of his life Pansie (nee Shean) Holmes and is survived by his sister, Shirley Paul, his two children, Janette Holmes(Gerry Welsford) and Debra Bishop (Allen Bishop), four grandchildren David and Andrew Bishop and Eastman and Cullen Welsford, and five great grandchildren. There wasn't much Don wouldn't do for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His love and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Don had many interests. He enjoyed reading history books and was a life long birder. He was especially interested in his ancestry and was able to trace back many generations. His father was Albert Holmes born in London England and his mother was Alice Perrin(nee Lees) Holmes born in Edinburgh Scotland. Don was the youngest of six children. When he was eight years old, his father died, and his mother raised the children on her own. Don passed down to his two daughters his mother's mantra "make do Don, make do". All the children played instruments and it fell to Don to take up his father's trumpet. Dad played in the Stratford Boys Band and the military band. When he was grown, he played in many local dance bands popular at the time and he was known by the phrase "rattle your bones with Donnie Holmes"!

A young Don answered the military call and was a veteran of World War II. After the war he started out working at Grand Trunk Railway and then did an electrical apprenticeship at the Canadian National Railway shops in Stratford. CN took him to Montreal, Moncton and then back to Montreal to the CN head office. He was a transportation officer who specialized in organizing unit trains across the country. He then consulted for CANAC. He retired to London Ontario. When he gave up his trumpet, our dad continued to enjoy a great variety of music through his albums and records played on his "hifi". He eventually converted everything to discs show tunes, classical music, marches, and also country music when our mom took up line dancing.

Dad loved the sun. Mom and dad spent every winter in Florida when he retired where they made wonderful lasting friendships. He enjoyed the hot weather there where he continued to swim, bike and walk well into his 90's. Dad loved to travel. Our parents belonged to a home exchange group that allowed them to travel all over the United States, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and Ireland. Dad loved filling out contest forms and won hundreds of things, including trips to Greece, Arizona and Columbia. Dad loved hiking, walking, tramping or whatever they called it in each country he visited and especially at home in London Ontario. He belonged to the Thames Valley Ramblers where he so enjoyed the hikes and his fellow hikers who became his good friends. When he turned 90 they had a special luncheon for him to recognize their "most active nonoctogenarian". After most hikes, he could be heard organizing an outing for bacon and eggs!

Dad spent his last three months in the hospice Ian Anderson House where he was lovingly cared for and continued to enjoy a high quality of life. Our gratitude goes to the wonderful professionals and volunteers there.

Our dad was a fiercely independent person who was very kind and caring. He enjoyed his time alone. He loved his family greatly and he will be missed more than words can say. A private ceremony will be held at a later date. Donations in Don's name can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Ian Anderson House Foundation.