Red Deer’s Honorary Senior Citizen of 2020, and one of the last known surviving local Korean War veterans, has died at age 88.
Mayor Tara Veer spoke of feeling “great sadness” at the passing of Don Holloway on Thursday.
“Don became a great personal friend over the years, and he was always active in milestone community ceremonies such as attending the opening of Veterans’ Park downtown, commemorating the many sacrifices our veterans made on Remembrance Day, and Korean War Veterans Armistice Day ceremonies,” said Veer.
When Holloway became the City of Red Deer’s 2020 Honorary Senior Citizen last summer, Veer said she had “the great honour of meeting with him and his wife, Sylvia, outside their home …to commend him for his community contributions. We honour the legacies he built, the relationships he leaves behind, and his service to our country.”
Holloway contributed to many events in the community, province and country and served in the Canadian Forces for 31 years before his retirement in 1982.
He was born on June 11, 1932 in Port Blandford, N.L. and enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1951. He spent a year serving in the Korean War as a combat engineer. By 1977, he and his family had settled in Penhold. Nearing retirement, Holloway built a house and made his final move to Red Deer in 1981.
“On behalf of city council, the City of Red Deer, and the citizens of our community, we want to express our deepest condolences to his wife Sylvia, his family and his many friends. We are so grateful for Don’s life and legacy, and his many contributions to our community and country,” said Veer.