Obituary of Don Zuber

July 23, 1935 - Westmount, Quebec

March 27, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Clive Donald Zuber, affectionately known as Don, of Calgary, AB on March 27, 2023, at the age of 87 years.

Don will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sylvia of 68 years; children, Steven (Susan) of Ottawa, ON, Terry (Susan) of Water Valley, AB, Diane (John) and Donna of Calgary, AB. Don is also survived by his brothers, Carl (Gloria) of Vancouver, BC, Ralph (Maryke) of Calgary, AB and John (Nancy) of Kingston, Ont. Don was predeceased by both parents, Ina Foster and Fred Zuber; and his eldest brother Ted (Monica) Zuber.

Don was born in Westmount, QC, on July 23, 1935, and grew up amongst a family of five brothers, Ted, Carl, Don, Ralph, and Johnny. He joined the Sea Cadets and became a swimming and sailing instructor, then later joined the Naval Reserve. Don moved to West Hill, Scarborough, ON, in 1951 to work as an apprentice, and then met his future wife, and love of his life, Sylvia. They were married in 1954.

In 1966, the call of the West drew the family to Williams Lake in the interior of BC. Don loved the outdoors, and fishing and hunting were great passions, As Don always said, “It’s a great day for fishing, and it’s a bonus if you catch a fish!” He enjoyed many years of camping with his young family and was always a great storyteller over campfires and at the dinner table. He was especially good at sharing anything related to history – no surprise that the History channel was his favourite. He loved his country music, and the songs of Wilf Carter, Marty Robbins and Hank Snow would be heard regularly in the Zuber household and on the road.

Don spent many years teaching his young boys to skate and play hockey on home-made backyard rinks.  He loved coaching the boy’s teams in pee-wee and midget hockey leagues and was always ready to take them to early morning practices or far away tournaments. His love of hockey never faltered, and he was an avid fan throughout his life.

Don enjoyed community service and joined the Lions Club first in Williams Lake, then with moves to Quesnel and Calgary. Don was an active member for 35 years with the Calgary Heritage Lions Club earning several awards, including the Melvin Jones Service Award for outstanding service.

Don had a career spanning 45 years in the insurance industry on both the brokerage and company sides of the business, where he built strong relationships with all those he dealt with. Don’s easy-going and cheery personality, with a quick wit, won him many friends through business associations and in the community.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the amazing staff of Unit 58 of the Calgary South Health Campus for the exemplary care they provided Don.

A Celebration of Don’s life will be held on April 19, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Haysboro Community Hall, 1204 – 89 Avenue SW, Calgary.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Don’s honor may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial.

Condolences, memories, and photos can be shared and viewed here. In living memory of Don Zuber, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone 403-256-9575.