Don passed away peacefully in Edmonton, Alberta on December 16, 2023, at the age of 75 after succumbing to the degenerative effects of frontotemperal dementia. He is survived by his wife, Gerri Tabak, and daughter, Micki (Lucas)
as well as his siblings, Rick, Len, and Donna along with their families.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Don was educated at the University of Manitoba where he achieved his Bachelor and Masters’ degrees in Civil Engineering. Shortly after graduating, he joined his brother Len running a small engineering firm (Norenco), that was involved in municipal engineering infrastructure projects located primarily in Manitoba and later in Alberta but eventually expanded to include international projects in Africa and the Caribbean.

Don enjoyed adventures, especially travel. He loved working on international projects because, as a Project Manager, he was able to interface with the local stakeholders, provide consulting advice on their technical engineering problems and bring their project vision to fruition. These projects were often months in duration, but this time provided him with an opportunity to connect with the locals and gain a deeper insight into their culture, environment, and the people as individuals.

This interest in learning about different cultures led to a keen interest in travel, both for business and pleasure, often with Gerri and Micki accompanying him on many far-flung trips to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America…every continent except Antarctica! He relished adventures like traipsing into the Sahara Desert, exploring the Pyramids of Giza, camel riding and hiking with Micki in Petra and observing penguins in their natural environment in Patagonia, just to name a few of these adventures!

But Don also loved the water…being near it seemed to recharge him. Many good times were had in his early years at the family cottage at Falcon Lake Manitoba where he spent hours fishing, swimming and just “kicking back” on the dock with family and a can or two of beer! Visits to the cottage subsided
considerably with eventual moves to Alberta and the Pacific Northwest in the US, but he was able to teach Micki how to fish, a skill he was proud to pass on to her and an activity she enjoyed. 

Don will be missed fondly by Gerri (wife), Micki (daughter) and Lucas (fiancé), along with his siblings. As per his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in Manitoba at a later date in a private celebration of his life.