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Donald Allan FREEZE

August 18, 2006

FREEZE, Donald Allan Freeze passed away at the age of 97 at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock on August 18th after a long and fulfilling life. He was born in Edmonton on June 14, 1909, obtained his degree in architecture from the University of Alberta, and served in the RCAF as a navigator in the Second World War. His career with the Federal Department of Public Works spanned thirty years in three cities: Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa. He helped design scores of public buildings and facilities across Canada. In 1967, he played a significant role in the design of the Centennial Flame that still burns on Parliament Hill. In 1937, he married Bea Anderson and began a lifelong love affair that lasted almost 65 years until Bea's death in 2002. In their retirement years, from their home in Saanich, and then White Rock, Bea and Don travelled widely, visiting every continent save Antarctica, and enjoyed extended periods of exploration in several European countries. Don was a man of wide interest. In his youth he was a champion swimmer and diver; in later years, a keen golfer. He was an avid patron of the theatre, and a fine bridge player and teacher. Throughout his life Don regaled his family and friends with poetry of humour and goodwill. While in his 80's, he wrote a number of fictional works, including two short novels that brought great pleasure to his readers. Don was a proud father to his two sons, Al and Rick; a loving father-in-law to Donna and Jieka; and a wonderful role model to his five grandchildren, Geoff, Chris, Lori, Sean and Trevi, and his seven great-grandchildren, Brenna, Dani, Danica, Macy, Madeline, Anderson and Calla.

A memorial reception to celebrate Don's life will be held at 10 am on Friday, August 25 at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Center, 14831 - 28th Avenue, Surrey.