Obituary of Donald Robert Glover

September 1, 1938 – Victoria, British Columbia

August 16, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Don Glover passed away Tuesday morning in the arms of his best friend and the love of his life for 65 years Joyce.

He grew up in Calgary and Lethbridge, playing football and baseball throughout his school years.  He went to University of Alberta to study business.  While continuing to play football and baseball he also demonstrated his leadership skills in various student organizations.  Friends introduced him to Joyce at a dance in 1958 and that was it for both of them.  They married a year later in October 1959 and welcomed Cathy in October 1960.  Don graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1961.  Bob joined the family in 1963.

Don joined London Life upon graduation and moved through a series of sales and management positions to establish one of the company’s premier regional offices in Calgary and Southern Alberta. He is a past Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Life Underwriters of Canada (now Advocis).  In 1985 he was elected an Honorary Director, the highest honour Life Underwriters awarded to a member. After serving a term as elected President of the Association in 1990, Don joined the staff as Executive Vice President in 1991 and was appointed President in 1992.  He continued in this role until 1995, advocating for the industry and the professionals working in it, with government, regulators, insurers, and members. Following his retirement, he joined the Board of Directors of Comp Corp (now Assuris) continuing to support Canadians in event of insurance company insolvency.  Throughout his professional career Don lead with integrity and deep respect for the professionals in the field and their role in caring for Canadian families.

Don was thrilled to be Granddad to Laura and Anna.  He developed very special relationships with each of them as children-often with them playing on and around him as he watched baseball on tv. As they got older, he and Joyce planned special travels with the girls across Canada and to vacation homes.  He was incredibly proud of the young women they have become.

Don loved playing and watching sports.  He played semi-pro baseball after university, pitching in games across Alberta. He was an avid golfer throughout his life.  He learned to ski at age 35 when they moved to Calgary and spent many years skiing at Sunshine with his family. He supported the Stamps and the Flames and loved to watch the Toronto Blue Jays. He was a member of the Glencoe Club and The Calgary Golf and Country Club.

Don and Joyce loved to travel and often had vacation homes.  They weren’t afraid of change and moved across the country and into multiple homes-always making them welcome to family and friends. They worked as a team right until the end. Don passed peacefully, without pain and in Joyce’s arms.

He is also survived by their children Cathy and Bob (Margot) and grandchildren Laura and Anna. He is predeceased by his brothers Ken (Eleanor) and Bill (Jacki) and parents Edward and Eleanor.

The family would like to thank the team in the Abington community at Cambridge Manor for their care during Don’s final year. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Hotchkiss Brain Institute for Parkinson’s and Dementia research at https://engage.ucalgary.ca/Don_Glover

The family will not be holding a memorial service.  Instead, they ask you to pour yourself a great glass of red wine, or your favourite local beer and sit down with family and friends and watch a Toronto Blue Jays game.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Donald’s family here.

In living memory of Donald Glover, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.