Obituary of Donald Karr Saul
SAUL, Donald Karr
Passed away peacefully at the Waterford retirement residence at the age of 92 on April 8, 2020. Son of Ethel (Nee Sexsmith, Russell) and David Karr Saul.
Half-brother of Maude, Irvin, Herbert, Harry, Earle (Betty), Jessie, Margorie and brother of Hope. Husband of Lois (Nee Paul, deceased). Don will be deeply missed by children Brian (Laurie), Dave (Berna, deceased) and Murray (Jennifer), nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Don was born on a farm located near Camden East, Ontario. The limestone house was built by his grandfather William Saul and great uncle Hugh Saul, who were well-known and well-respected stone masons in the region. After leaving the Newburg Academy, Don worked for the Strathcona Paper Company as a labourer, apprentice, journeyman and finally Chief Electrician. He married Lois Paul in 1953 at which time they moved into company-owned housing at Strathcona, Ontario.
In 1955, and with the full support of his wife, he changed careers to teach vocational subjects at Queen Elizabeth Collegiate and Vocational Institute (QECVI) in Kingston, after moving to Kingston. In 1966, he transferred to Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute (LCVI) to accept the title of Technical Director and remained in that position until his retirement in 1985. He was instrumental in supporting students and setting up student internships and placements with Eastern Ontario industries and businesses. He took courses in the evenings and in the summer until graduating from Queen’s University with a BA (English) in 1968. He was the first in his family to obtain a university education, which inspired his sons to obtain their university degrees from Queen’s University.
Don is remembered for his exceptional memory, good sense of humor, determination, drive, inquisitiveness and for his quiet understated demeanor. He had an innate ability to assist students and family members through difficult situations with ease and no fanfare. He seldom complained and did not pass judgment on others. Don’s interests included visiting relatives (“Doing up the Counties”), spending time with the family at the cottage, going to plays with Lois and the Kearns, performing maintenance on the house and cottage, hosting family picnics, as well as genealogy. Don also belonged to various associations including Probus Canada, Prince of Wales Lodge and OSSTF. In later years, he enjoyed his weekday visits with his retirement buddies for breakfast at the local McDonald’s.
We would like to express our gratitude to his neighbors Margaret McGowan and Bob Cavanaugh, to his private PSWs as well as the PSW/Nursing Staff at the Waterford senior residence. A Memorial Service will be held at Crossroads United Church in Kingston at a later date, after the pandemic crisis subsides.
Don's family will receive friends at the James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston, on Thursday, September 15, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m., followed by a memorial service in the chapel at 1:00 pm. Rev. Dr. Drew Strickland officiating. Inurnment at St. Luke's Cemetery in Camden East. For those who wish, donations may be made to Crossroads United Church in Don's memory.
