October 1, 2021
1935-2021 ~ It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Donald Bruce Crumback on 1 October 2021 at the age of 86 in Calgary, Alberta. He was the son of Allan Wendell Crumback and Vera Lillian (Carson). Donald is survived by his wife, Shirley Crumback (Burnell) of Calgary and his children Deana, Douglas and wife Nora of Calgary, and Daniel and fiancée Jess Nyahoe of Chichester, UK. Donald will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Geoff, Stephanie, Jenna, Michelle, Jason, Danielle, Veronica, and Jonathan, and great grandchildren Tayah, Isla and Arlo.
Don was born in Toronto in 1935 and grew up in the Brantford Ontario area. After the loss of his mother at a very young age, he was lovingly brought up by the McDougall family in Mount Forest Ontario until the Crumback family could once again be reunited. He truly thought of the McDougall family as his own and expressed deep love and appreciation for all they did in his early years.
Don joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 17 in Air Movements serving in Goose Bay, Labrador, and Langar, England where he met and married the love of his life, Shirley (Burnell) who was also in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
He was also posted to Belgium, France, Downsview, Trenton and Ottawa. He retired after 23 years of service as a Chief Warrant Officer. After retiring from the CAF, the family moved from Ottawa to Summerland to operate an orchard in Paradise Flats.
Donald was a well-respected orchardist, worked at the local packing house, a member of Summerland Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service as well as an active member of the community culminating in his role as the Parade Director for the Summerland Days.
After retiring from orcharding, Don went on to work with crop insurance serving orchardists throughout the Okanagan and Kootenay regions.
Don's many attributes included his work ethic, honour and integrity tempered with his outgoing personality, compassion, and a wry sense of humour. He was well loved by all he met and quick to make many friends through his work, many activities, and his local church.
Don was a fine husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. His family always came first. He was demanding but fair, never asking more than he was willing to do himself. An excellent role model and mentor. We will miss his lovely smile, sparkling mischievous eyes, warm laugh, and wonderful hugs.
Thank you for all you did for your friends and family. You will be missed...
A funeral ceremony will take place at Leyden's Funeral Home in Calgary at 2 pm on 16 October 2021.
An interment ceremony will take place at Canyon View Cemetery in Summerland starting at 1:30 pm on 19 October 2021. Friends are welcome to attend.
Please contact Michelle Stone (Crumback) for further queries at michelle.d.stone@icloud.com