Obituary of Donald Eric Crowell

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Donald Eric Crowell of Windsor, at age 95, in Hants Community Hospital, Windsor, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Born on February 11, 1928 in Glace Bay he was a son of the late Wilfred R. (Shag Harbour) and Hattie (Nickerson) Crowell (Woods Harbour). He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, known affectionally as “Dapa”. Donald was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Donald worked as an Inventory Controller most of his life for J.W. Rudderham Ltd. in Sydney, NS. He was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables, skilled photographer and woodworker and passionate nature lover. He made many candlestick holders for family from an old apple tree at the family home. Donald always said that the “first one was free but the second one would cost ya.” He loved passing his time doing all those things, but his greatest love was spending time with his family. He most recently loved to spend time with his great grandson, Kaeden playing “go fish” even though Kaeden would “beat the pants off him” most times. As a matter of fact, he loved playing most games including cribbage and UNO with his many siblings and their families in Mira at his sister, Beth’s bungalow. Donald even taught his grandsons, Don and Ryan to play but he had no mercy on them. Don remembers never winning but always enjoying every minute of playing with him. Ryan used to consider himself a pretty good player until the day he played him all day while he was recovering from his pacemaker surgery. Ryan’s goal became not getting double skunked and he got double skunked! We all remember how happy he was to frame his “perfect 29” cribbage hand. Dapa inspired his granddaughter, Kirsten to grow her artistic creativity by always doodling or painting rocks with her. Ashley remembers her Dapa as a fun-loving jokester who loved to tease her. She loved playing with his hair and spiking it up in a mohawk as he sat there loving every minute of it. His family will all remember his playful spirit and loving ways.

Donald will be forever missed by his wife of 65 years, Joyce (Etheridge); daughters, Tanya Crowell (Frank Bach) and Colette Crowell (Jim Nearing); sons, Bradley Crowell (Wilma Smith) and Wilfred Crowell (Trina Cook); grandchildren, Donald Crowell (Erin Madden), Ryan Crowell, Kirsten Nearing and Ashley Nearing and great grandchild, Kaeden Crowell; brothers-in-law, Billy Noseworthy and Ray McNabb; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by daughter, Denise; sisters, Audrey (Willi) Cziborr, Phyllis (Thomas) Johnson, Vivian (George) Morris, Beth Noseworthy and Shirley McNabb; brothers, Roy, Earl (Isabelle) and George (Jean).

The family would like to say a special thanks to the staff of Dykeland Lodge Nursing Home and Hants Community Hospital for their compassionate and continued care. We are grateful for their support at this difficult time.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). A private family celebration of life has been planned. Donations in memory of Donald may be made to Northwood Homecare Ltd., 130 Eileen Stubbs Ave., Suite 1, South Dartmouth, NS B3B 2C4; Dykeland Lodge, 124 Cottage St., Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 or Hants Community Hospital - Palliative Care, 89 Payzant Dr., Windsor, NS B0N 2T0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca