Donald Savigny PATERSON

PATERSON, Donald Savigny D.F.C. 1918-2006 Died peacefully after a brief illness at Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Wednesday, May 24, 2006. Predeceased by his wife Jane, whom he adored, he is lovingly remembered by his four sons Norman, Charles (Barbara), John and Andrew (Lisa), his daughter Ellen (Martin), and his nine grandchildren. He is survived by his sisters Joan and Nancy. Born in Thunder Bay, Donald was the son of Senator Norman Paterson and Eleanor MacDonald and was raised in Thunder Bay and Ottawa. His studies at Bishop's University were interrupted in 1940 when he enlisted in the R.C.A.F. and then served overseas as a Flight Lieutenant piloting Lancaster bombers. On February 27, 1945 Donald was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "skill, fortitude and devotion to duty", he had completed 29 missions. He was also awarded the 1939-45 Star, The France and Germany Star, The Defense Medal and the CVSM and CLASP. Receiving thank you letters from each mother of the seven-man crew following one safe return with a plane full of holes and two engines down (one on fire), his only comment was, "They forget that I was on the plane too." Donald was Honorary Chairman of Paterson GlobalFoods Inc. at the time of his death and had spent the last 66 years working in the family held grain business. He had also served as director or chairman of The Winnipeg Commodity Exchange, The Traders Building, Voyageur Explorations Ltd., Stall Lake Mines, Grain Insurance and Guarantee, and The Paterson Foundation. He was a renowned traveler who had seen the world from pole to pole, whether by plane to the North Pole or by the first civilian expedition to the South Pole. Donald had been to Easter Island and the Galapagos twice, and had piloted himself across Africa in the 1950s. What we will all remember and cherish about Donald Paterson was his humanity. He was an honorable man who loved his family, enjoyed and cherished his friends, and thought well of us all. A public service will be held on Monday, May 29th at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Portage Ave. and Canora St., Winnipeg. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba in memory of Donald Paterson. Published in the Ottawa Citizen from 5/27/2006 - 5/29/2006