Donald McGregor MCRAE

McRAE, Donald McGregor Born in Barry's Bay, Ontario November 4, 1915, died peacefully in Barry's Bay May 20, 2006, surrounded by his family. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J.S.L. McRae of Whitney, Ontario. Beloved husband of Helen McRorie McRae. Predeceased by his sister Marjorie McGregor. Dear father of Janet Webber (Mark), Robert (Rachel), John (Val), Catherine Freeman (Michael); much loved grandfather of Jamie, Michael and Maggie McRae; Jenny, Cameron, Duncan and Gill McRae; and David and Sarah Freeman; dear uncle of Catherine McGregor (Paul). From his boyhood, Donald enjoyed trout fishing, hockey, and baseball. In World War II he saw combat duty in the RCAF and was attached to RAF 102 Squadron as an aerial gunner. Shot down in 1942, he was a POW for 33 months and was a member of the tunnelling crew for the "Great Escape" at Stalag Luft III (Sagan). After the war he returned to Whitney, married and raised his family. In 1968 he succeeded his father as president of McRae Lumber Company. For the last quarter century he enjoyed spending his winters in Florida, where he became an avid golfer; there and in Whitney, he enjoyed the company of family and friends. Friends may visit at Smith Post Memorial United Church, Whitney on Tuesday, May 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. or 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24 at Smith Post Memorial United Church, Whitney. Arrangements by Baragar Funeral Home, Bancroft, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry's Bay. Published in the Ottawa Citizen on 5/22/2006