Donald Rea, 92, passed away peacefully at his home in Victoria, BC on Thursday, January 27th 2022 on his own terms. Don was born in Toronto, ON, on October 3rd, 1929, the youngest of five children of Fred and Azilda (nee LeMonnier) Rea.
He will be sadly missed by his three children Steve (Liz), Greg and Lisa and his three grandchildren, Gordon, Michelle and Daniel. Don was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Marilyn June Rea, in 1995.
Don graduated from Jarvis High School in Toronto and started working at Coca Cola on December 5th, 1949. He worked at various financial positions within the company until his retirement in 1985. Don met his long-time loving companion, Joan Hilary Holmes, with whom he traveled Canada, Australia, Spain, France and Channel Islands Guernsey and Jersey. They wintered in Florida and lived in Wellington, Ontario until finally settling in Oak Bay, Victoria, BC. Don will also be fondly remembered and missed by Joan’s children Jay (Linda), Jordan (Angela), Jori (Pat) and Jillian (Henry).
Don enjoyed playing bridge with his partner Joan, and snooker with his friends down at the Monterey Recreation Centre. He was a voracious reader, loved crosswords and puzzles of all kinds and could always be counted on to have cocktails ready before dinner. He will also be remembered for always having the right wine when serving dinner.
Don will be cremated at Pacific Coast Cremation in Victoria, BC and will rest alongside his long-time love and companion, Joan Holmes, who predeceased him on November 10, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dying With Dignity Canada, 500 – 1835 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4S 1X8. Phone number (800) 495 6156
https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/give_today
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I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was always so kind to us and we will all miss, Grandpa Don.
My sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.
With Love and prayers,
Jackie Holmes
I entered employment at Coca-Cola on 27 May 1953 and sometime in 1954 started working in the accounting dept. under Don’s supervision. That was the beginning of a 66 year friendship. Don not only taught me accounting, he taught me chess, billiards, snooker, poker, and he even let me win on occasion. We went fishing, he welcomed me in to his home and introduced me to his 1st wife June and their children.
Many years after those early days of genuine friendship I eventually introduced Don to Joan Hilary Holmes. Dear sweet lady I am certainly saddened to learn of your passing.
My wife and I visited Don and Hilary in Victoria in June of 2019. That parting was poignantly painful. It’s bloody hard to say goodbye to a good friend .
Thank you to all Don and Joan’s family and friends for sharing Don with me
Lance Traylen
Feb 1, 2022.
I was Don’s snooker partner for 15 years and he was very decent gentleman and a good player.
He always told me that when you lose you always make someone else happy.
Of course he knew the rules of snooker like the back of his hand so one always had to be on one’s toes. Lot’s of close games.
He was as they say, “a gentleman and a scholar” and I am proud to have known him and Hilary.
Lance.
I am very saddened to hear of the passing of my Uncle Don. He was the last survivor of that generation of the Rea family. I did not know Don that well. As a child, he struck me as quiet and reserved, and always a gentleman. As an adult attending many reunions, he impressed me with his dry, but wicked, sense of humour.
I would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to Steve and Liz, and family, and Greg and Lisa. My thoughts are with you.
Don was one of the “old timers” at Coca-Cola Ltd. on Overlea Blvd. who allowed me to sit at his lunch table and watch as he and several others of his era played bridge. I never learned the game but enjoyed the camaraderie and the friendly banter among others at the table. Don was a well-respected and long-time employee at CCL. I’m sorry to hear of his passing.