WILSON, Father Don: (November 2, 1934 - April 15, 2015) - Father Donald Eugene Wilson, Catholic priest of the Diocese of Nelson, died on April 15, 2015 in Kelowna BC. He was born November 2, 1934 in Pike Creek, ON to George and Bernadette Wilson. He was baptized in St. Ann Parish, Pike Creek, ON, on August 4, 1935 and later attended elementary school in LaSalle, ON, and Assumption High School in Windsor, ON. He also attended and graduated from Notre Dame University in Nelson, BC, before undertaking seminary studies. He is predeceased by his parents and three brothers (Allen, Joseph and Michael) and one sister (Theresa). He is survived by four sisters (Rita Lucier, Anna Marie MacDonald, Janet Laliberte, and Jean Davis) and four brothers (Robert, David, James and Gerald) as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends in both Ontario and BC. Between 1954 and 1960, Fr. Don attended St. Peter's Seminary in London, ON. He was ordained on May 28, 1960, at St. Peter's Basilica, London, ON and assigned as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary's in Cranbrook. In 1961 he was appointed Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Keremeos. In 1965 he was named Pastor in St. Joseph, Warfield and in 1967, as Pastor of the Slocan Missions. From 1967 to January 1970 he offered pastoral service in London Diocese and Vancouver Archdiocese. In February 1970, he became the Acting Chancellor of the Diocese of Nelson and Assistant Rector at Cathedral of Mary Immaculate in Nelson, BC. In 1971 he became Associate Pastor of St. Anne Parish, Osoyoos, and the following year Pastor of St. John Vianney Parish, Penticton. In 1978, he became Rector of the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate in Nelson, remaining until September 1985 when he became Pastor of St. Anthony and St. Francis Xavier Parishes in Trail, BC, moving the following year to St. Edward, Winfield as Pastor. From November 1988 to August 1990, he was on Sabbatical, followed by a period of service in the Archdiocese of Toronto. In August 1992, he became Co-Director (and later Director) at Seton House of Prayer, Kelowna BC where he served until he retired in 2013. During that time, he served for a number of months as Pastor of St. Edward Parish, Winfield. Fr. Don, despite ongoing health concerns, carried on extensive pastoral ministry, serving as Chair of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, member of the Senate, and Council of Administration, and as Consultor, Vicar for Schools, member of the Synod Committee, Bishop's Liaison for Charismatic Renewal, Judge for the Marriage Tribunal, and confessor and spiritual director to countless individuals within and beyond the Diocese of Nelson. Formal reception of the body will take place at Immaculate Conception Church, Kelowna, at 3 pm on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, followed by public visits. Prayers follow that evening at 7 pm. The Funeral Mass will take place in the Church at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, with interment immediately following at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Fr. Don Wilson to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the BC Cancer Foundation (Kelowna, BC), or the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Arrangements in care of Everden Rust Funeral Services, (250) 860-6440. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.everdenrust.com
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