Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 12:00 a.m.
Gellatly, Donald
DONALD RAY GELLATLY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at his home in Lethbridge, Alberta after a 10 year tug-of-war with cancer.
DONALD RAY GELLATLY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 at his home in Lethbridge, Alberta after a 10 year tug-of-war with cancer.
Don was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 29th, 1959. He spent all of his youth playing various sports from bowling to football but his primary love was basketball. He attended Mount Royal College and played basketball with the MRC Cougars who won a national championship in his second year. Don moved to Lethbridge in 1980 to pursue a degree in education at the university and this is where he met Kathie, his wife of 35 years. Don spent most of his remaining years in Southern Alberta as an educator and basketball coach. His spare time was spent coaching other sports, playing golf and proudly following the sporting and acting pursuits of his two sons, DJ and Daniel. Many of his summers were spent with Kathie in Las Vegas where they both loved to play poker and golf.
Don is survived by his wife Kathie, sons DJ (D?sir?e and granddaughter, Vivian) and Daniel (Jessica), his parents Don and Donna of Calgary, his brother Robert of Kuala Lumpur, mother-in-law and father-in-law Al and Ella Gething of Calgary, his three sisters-in-law; Sandie Cheney and Pennie MacKenzie of Calgary, and Deb (Wayne) Peterson of Sherwood Park. He is also survived by his half-sister Colleen Johnston of Calgary, and two of his "almost brothers", Paul Wollersheim and Roger Belisle.
A Celebration of Don's Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta on Saturday, February 24th, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. Don asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, #200, 325 - Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 2P5 or at http://www.cancer.ca/en/donate
Guestbook (38)
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So sorry to hear that this amazing man has passed. Don was always such a cheerful and loved teacher and he will be missed by many. Prayers to the family!
Great basketball coach at Earl Rivers High School. My prayers and condolences to the family.
We are thinking of you and your family. May you all find comfort in the wonderful memories of the all too few years you had together. I know he will be missed but never forgotten.
I am so sorry to hear of Don's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and this time.
Dear Kathie, DJ and Daniel: I was so sorry to hear of Don's passing although he can now finally rest in peace. I had to pick someone up at the Calgary airport on Saturday or I would have been with you. Please let your memories of a great husband and father help you through this difficult time. Blair
Our deepest condolences to you and your family, Kathie. Don will always have a special place in our hearts. God Bless.
Hey Kathie. Wonderful service yesterday and great to see so many familiar friendly faces. Pam and I did not stay late but wanted to touch base with you and share our condolences. Don was a GREAT Coach and even better man-all of our lives are better fro the opportunity to know him. Kathie-you are also one of a kind kind top shelf person that fought right through this battle just as hard as Don did. Thank you for your friendship and making our lives richer.
Kathie & family We were so sad to hear of Don's passing. He was a good man and will be greatly missed. We appreciate very much how good he was to our kids. Our deepest sympathy.
Kathie, i am so sorry to hear this. We just got home from a little trip. I would have loved to be there with you. Take care.
Kathie and family Sorry for you loss. It was a please to care for Don during his brief stay in PCU. He always kept a smile on our faces!! Take Care Jennifer
Very sorry to hear this news. Don was a very special mentor to me as a coach and educator. It has been 30+ years but I still value the positive influence of his coaching and teaching. Deepest sympathies to Kathie and the boys.
He was one amazing guy and we will miss him greatly. We had a lot of laughs together and a lot of cards-that he was mostly the winner at :):):):) You are strong Kathy, the days will get better.
So very sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was a great principal at WR Myers High School in Taber. Our last three children had him and we all enjoyed his infectious smile and enthusiasm for everything and everyone. Love and hugs to each of you. Sue and Keith Williams and family.
I had the pleasure of working with one Don when he was Principal in Milk River. I am sad to hear of his passing, I am sure he will be missed!
Sorry we will not be there on Saturday to celebrate Don's life. He was a man who had great love and understanding for family and friends. He was also very devoted to both family and friends. He will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. Kathie and family Donna and Don, you are in our thoughts at this time of sorrow.
So very sorry to hear this sad news. He was such a fine man and teacher. Our love to you Kathy and your sons.
Don and Kathie both inspired me as a young teacher starting out at ACE Place. They taught me that loving the students is just as important as teaching them. Thank you!
We were shocked at the passing of Don He was a great man who always treated you with a smile and a warm hello Kathie our prayers go out to you and your children Know that memories will take the place of sorrow Our thoughts are with you all
Deepest sorrow to hear Mr G has passed. He was our teacher and such a great presence in our lives as a teacher in Milk River. Deepest condolences to his family. We all lost a good one.
Kathie and family Sending you our deepest condolences.
Lenore Lindeman I can still hear Mr. G's contagious laugh and it is something that students say to me now, "We can tell you are in the school because you're laughing." I was happy to see you both again at Golds. Lifting weights has become a lifelong healthy habit for me that started in my PE class with Don. Ray and I had fun when Don came to the hair shop as my hair model for barbering. Lots of laughs there too. I passed my journeyman exam on the first try. I hope the memories of the fun and laughs you had together will help you deal with his loss. I am sorry I cannot make it to the service tomorrow, my heart will be there. ??
I am sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
My favourite memory of Mr. G is dancing with him in gym class. He was so full of energy and joy and he brought that into the classroom. Also the fun of having Kathie as his 'better half' - they were such a cute couple. Cannot imagine one without the other. My sympathies Kathie.
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Don was a wonderful educator our children really liked him.
I am so sorry for you loss. I have many fond memories of Mr. G when he was principal at Erie Rivers. He was a great role model and inspired me to enter the field of education. Praying for your family.
I knew Don as "Mr. G" when he was teaching in Milk River and was our home room teacher in grade 8. He had a great sense of humour but wasn't susceptible to BS so didn't let us get away with much. He always challenged us during phys ed classes and we always looked forward to doing circuit training with him because we knew he would bring in his Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show record and we could sing along to "Sylvia's Mother" and "The Cover of the Rolling Stone" even while gasping for breath. I have a copy of that record myself now, and always think of him fondly when we play it. While words cannot express my condolences, I wish Don's family peace during this most difficult time. We are all better people for having known him and will carry a piece of him in our hearts and memories. Jeanie Baczuk
Condolences to Don's family from me and mine. I mourn his loss as Mr. G will always be on my list of great men!
We are so sorry to hear of Dons passing. He fought a good fight and managed to keep a brave face throughout. We are so sorry that we are not able to be there with you on Saturday. Know that we are always with you in spirit. Don was one of the "good guys". We will miss him and his fantastic smile and sense of humour. We'll make an effort to get together in the near future. Love and hugs to all of you. Congratulations on the birth of Vivian. She was surely the apple of Dons eye.
I'm sorry to hear about this. He was an excellent basketball coach and a good guy. Condolences to the family.
To: Kathie, D.J. & families: Pls accept our deepest sympathies in your loss. We have always respected Don's contributions while a member of the Taber community! Remember always the good times that you shared!
Sending you all comfort , strength and love at this difficult time ..
To Kathie and family; Our sincere sympathy to all of you. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
The BEST boss I ever had! Genuine, supportive and the greatest sense of humor!
We both are truly sadden by the loss of such a kind man. The world has lost another good person. Our thoughts are with you Kathie and your family.
So sad to hear of Don's passing. He was such a wonderful man, and a pleasure to work with. Condolences to all of you. Lori, Trevor, Jackson and Tucker
The world was a better place with Mr Gellatly in it. He could motivate teenagers to do there best on the basketball court and in school. He helped me become a better person and basketball player and he wasn't even a girls coach. He just cared about people. My condolences Kathie and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. He was blessed with a very special family as well.
We are so sorry to hear that Don has passed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, DJ and Daniel. Rest in peace Mr. G.