Obituary of Donovan Elliott Hockley

Donovan Elliott Hockley passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011, one week shy of his 99th birthday. Don was born in 1912 in North Brandon, MB, the third child of Fred and Marian Hockley. He married Helen Wagner on August 12, 1942 and relished that marriage for 62 years until Helen passed away in 2005, on the same day as Dad passed but, exactly six years earlier. Don and Helen purchased their farm in North Brandon in 1945, and gradually increased their holdings and evolved the operation. Don founded Donovan Holsteins in 1958, a business that is now being carried on by the third generation of Hockleys (Neale), and remained active in the business of farming well into his 80s. He had many hobbies after semi-retirement, which included woodworking, restoration of antique cars, tinkering and traveling, while still farming part-time. Many of his wooden bowls made their way to friends and family, and wooden stools, rocking horses and doll cribs were crafted with love for his grandchildren. A 1929 Model A Ford was completely restored from a rusted shell to a fancy quarter-ton, complete with an oak floor in the converted truck box. Travel took Don and Helen on many memorable trips, which included points across Canada, Alaska, Florida several times, the Rose Bowl Parade in California, and to Hawaii, and Great Britain. The trips they looked most forward to were those to visit relatives in Ontario and visits to their sons' families in Western Canada. After Helen passed away in 2005, Don spent winters in Chilliwack with son Dale and his family and at the age of 97 made a trip to Palm Springs, California with son Glenn. Don could often be seen in recent years traveling the area close to the farm in his golf cart visiting friends and family and keeping track of the progress of crops. He is survived by four loving sons; Wes (Mary); Garth (Elaine) and their children, Heather, Neale and Travis; Glenn (Linda) and their children, Tamara, Chad, Victoria, and Jaclyn of Calgary, Alberta; Dale (Tina) and their children, Robert and Mila of Chilliwack, British Columbia. There are nine great-grandchildren; Grady, Morgan, Cameron, Landon, Aiden, Madison, Corbin, Tanner and Benjamin. We wish to thank the Home Care Workers who looked after Dad in his home, the nursing staff in the Assiniboine Centre and, especially, Dr. du Plooy and Dr. Benade. The Funeral Ceremony and Celebration of Don's life will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place immediately after the funeral service at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Please join us at the Victoria Inn, 3550 Victoria Avenue, for lunch. We look forward to your company. If friends desire, donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation,150 McTavish Avenue E., Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3 (funds will be directed to the General Fund to be used for the purchase of much needed special equipment) or to a charity of choice