Donald Christopher McTavish

Don McTavish died peacefully on October 29 at the age of 61, following a diagnosis of glioblastoma last fall. Born in Toronto in 1964, Don’s parents made the hazardous, icy Alaska Highway drive to Anchorage in 1966. His love of the natural world was born during this time, and he had great memories of playing in thick snow and camping trips. At age ten he moved to Victoria, attending Spectrum High School. Following high school, he moved to Vancouver to work and attend UBC, and then to Quadra Island.

Returning to Victoria, he started work at the Victoria Cool Aid Society in 1996. Over the next 29 years, Don enjoyed many roles. For much of his time, he supported the development and operations of Cool Aid’s shelter and supportive housing programs. He was a passionate community partner, helping to bring awareness about issues related to homelessness in Victoria and the important work of the non-profit housing sector. In recent years, Don was honoured to have an opportunity to serve on the board of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association. He worked hard and he cared.

Don was a life long learner. He was a veracious reader, often reading a book in a day. He had a huge range of interests and skills, and was the resident mechanic, plumber, carpenter, electrician and provider of random facts. He loved marital arts, particularly aikido and judo, for which he earned a brown belt. He was a proud nerd who loved D&D, video games, sci fi, and building drones. His love of learning brought him back to school in his fifties to complete a Master’s degree in Leadership from Royal Roads, a humbling experience that made him proud.

Don loved motorcycles. Like, he really loved them. From the age of 16 until his death, he was never without one. His ears always perked when he heard a bike, and insisted on telling you all about it before even seeing it. He had loads of fun on his last bike, a 701 Husqvarna, which took him off road into the bush exploring. You didn’t want to get him started about the move away from carbonators.

Above all, Don loved his family. He came to be a family guy later in life. He and his Melanie moved from friends to partners in 2007, and in the following years, welcomed their daughters Hope and Ren. Don adored being a husband and father. It gave him pleasure and meaning to love and care for his girls and the beautiful home they built together. At home, he was playful and silly and fun, had seemingly boundless energy, and could break any bad mood with humour. He was an amazing gift giver and a master finder of lost objects – likely because he really saw us. Coming from a smaller family, he loved becoming part of Melanie’s extended family in Ontario and New York. He was always up for an adventure, whether it was a hike, bike ride, paddle or a vacation, and was rarely phased when something went wrong (“Did anything go wrong? Yes? Did anyone die? No? Then it’s an adventure!!”). He dove head first into family life and loved every minute.

Don will be greatly missed by his wife and daughters, and sister Nicole Underwood, brother-in-law Bil and nephews Tyler and Miles. Don was predeceased by his parents Patricia McTavish (née Dik) and Dean McTavish.

The family wishes to thank their family, friends and colleagues who supported Don, Melanie, Hope and Ren this past year, particularly Avery Taylor who never stopped making Don laugh, even when it was just with his famous eyebrows. They also wish to thank the many wonderful health care providers they crossed paths with. Extra deep gratitude to Rebecca who connected with Don and no doubt extended his life as a result, and to the beautiful people at the Victoria Hospice who know how to make things a little less awful.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Victoria Cool Aid Society, or alternative local non-profit serving people experiencing homelessness, would be greatly appreciated.