WILKES Donald James Gadsden July 16, 1918 - June 14, 2009 Raised in Lacombe, Flight Lieutenant Don "Red" Wilkes, survived two tours of operations as a navigator on Mosquito night fighters in WWII. He returned to Alberta where he ran a small business with his wife, Ruth (Kinna) in Benalto. As a Field Officer for the Veteran's Land Administration his family relocated to Fairview in 1962 and in 1969 to Peterborough, Ontario where he became known for his practical assistance to war veterans. There, he excelled in tireless community support especially through the Rotary Club and the United Church. Don had a "sparkle" for life and two days before he passed away in Cambridge he was still singing his favourite song, "Show Me the Way to Go Home" in his beautiful bass voice. Predeceased in 2001 by his wife, Ruth, and 6 weeks ago by his special friend, Pat Canty, he is survived by his brother, Bob in Lacombe (Marilyn), his sons Greg in Edmonton (Penny) and Don in Tobermory (Gwenda), his daughter Mona (Rob) in Cambridge as well as 5 grandchildren (Kjelti, Heidi, Brennan, Margie, Rob) and 4 great-grand children (Kinna, Elliot, Kale, Grier). Last July, Don's life was roundly celebrated on his 90th birthday. Family will share a final goodbye at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Don's name to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for the purchase of a special piece of land on the Bruce Peninsula. www.natureconservancy.ca