It is with profound & devastating sadness to announce that we unexpectedly lost Donald Hore on Dec 28, 2023. He will be sadly missed by his wife Sheila of 35 years, two children, Mitchel (Meghan ) and Alyssa-Lynn (Jon), his Mother Betty, Father Ronald (decd.); as well as siblings, cousins, aunts/uncles and friends.

Don (Donald Brent Hore) was born December 17, 1959 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was the fourth of five children and spent most of his childhood on the hockey rink, baseball field and getting up to mischief with his brothers in the community of Elmwood. It wasn't long before Don graduated from Jasper Place High School, when he decided to blaze his own path and move away from his home town to Calgary.

He enrolled at SAIT studying sheet metal, before he realised his true passion lay with horticulture and nature. Not wasting any time, he moved to Olds to pursue his love for plants and agriculture to study at Olds College. He spent time driving between Calgary and Olds, while working and playing on the golf courses in Calgary. He met his future wife Sheila Hermann at Confederation Golf Course in 1986. Don and Sheila were married in 1989 and settled down in Calgary where he became a father to two beautiful children, Mitchel in 1991, and Alyssa-Lynn in 1994. He spent his time taking the kids camping, teaching them to skate, play hockey, baseball and swim. He also cherished family, and frequently visited Edmonton and Island Lake. The family spent time hanging out at Grandma Betty’s, dressing up at family parties, fishing at the lake, and camping in Kananaskis. He was an amazing, wonderful father, always putting his children first.

Most recently, Don spent a large portion of his time mentoring his peers through the sobriety program, and revitalising the Bowness Senior Center, where he donated hours upon hours of his time rejuvenating and upkeeping the grounds there. He was always trying to give back and create a positive environment for people to come, play and socialise. He had a big heart and cared only for how he could help the community and make it a better place. Don was proudly 36 years sober, and mentored so many people to reach sobriety over the years through the program “Go For It”. His continued strength in sobriety was always his first passion, helping others was his second. He was a passionate man who cared for others and used his story to help them through hard times.

Don, (or Donay as his family called him) was an avid lawn bowler, a “grease wheel” loving, Jimmy Buffet impersonating parrothead, who thought Mexico was his second home. He craved getting away from the big city to live a quieter life where he could live off the land and grow his own organic produce. He loved to laugh, was a jokester and a goofball, and always knew how to bring a smile to everyone's face. He was always the life of the party, and brought joy to everyone around him. He was always one hundred percent, unapologetically himself. There was never a dull moment with Don, and you could always count on him to pull out his Captain Obvious outfit whenever he wanted a laugh.

He loved nature and he admired the world's beauty and all things that grow. “Grumpy Olde Gardener” as he was known, was a horticulturist by trade who loved spending his time surrounded by beautiful flowers, plants and trees. His love of life was being outside, whether it be golfing, lawn bowling, or taking his dog’s Diesel and Esko out for walks by the river. He was always down for adventures, and spending as much time outdoors as he could.

We loved Don with our whole hearts and we will cherish the memories, love and laughter he brought to our lives. He will be forever missed by his family, friends and peers.

A Tribute to Don will take place at the Bowness Senior Center on Friday January 12, 2024 at 12:00 - 3:00 pm
6422 35 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T3B 1S6

Please join us, and feel free to share a story or laugh with us.

God bless you all.

If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Please reach out to someone you trust or a medical professional. Always remember you are not alone. https://albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page14063.aspx#details-panel14065

Donations: in lieu of flowers, we would like to suggest making a donation to one of the charities below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sudden-loss-of-a-great-dad-husband-and-friend?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/ways-to-give/donate/