Donald Elmer Carney

Dad left our presence peacefully at Forest Heights LTC Home (Kitchener), on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

Wing Commander Donald Elmer Carney was born in Meaford, Ontario, the son of the late Elmer and Lillian (McBride) Carney of Brampton, Ontario. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joan (Swartz), daughter of the late Art and Vera Swartz, formerly of Comox, British Columbia, and North Bay, Ontario.

Don was very proud of his sons Don and Dale (Edes) of Kemptville and Brian and Sylvia (Brown) of Kitchener. He adored both his sister Barbara Holland of Kanata, his beloved brother Bob and Karen (Davidson) of Georgetown and his loving sister-in-law Joy Swartz (Marsh - predeceased) of Bracebridge, ON.  

Don loved and delighted in his seven grandchildren, Nevill, Miles, Natalie (Noah) and Myra of Kanata; Nicolas (Nicole), Jonathan (Donalee) and Victoria (Nicholas) of Kitchener. 

He also deeply cherished his niece Amy Holland (Jamie), dear nephews David (Lori), Bradley (Ruth Ann), Glenn Holland (Kam), and Paul (Kristi) and Mark (Cathy) Carney and treasured his niece Penney Edwards (George) and nephew Gerry Swartz.  

He was predeceased by his parents; brother-in-law Anthony Holland and nephew Brent, grandparents, Charles and Agnes' (King) Carney of Norval, Ontario, and Daniel and Ruth (Pettinger) McBride of Toronto. Also predeceased by his brother-in-law Arthur Swartz (Josiane)

Don grew up on the family farm and after attending school in Toronto he joined the RCAF in 1955 as a pilot. During his career he flew with several fighter squadrons across Canada and was privileged to fly with the United States Air Force. Don also served with the Canadian Military Delegation to Vietnam in 1973. After 32 years in the RCAF and Canadian Forces Don retired while serving at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, a proud recipient in 1984 of the Order of Military Merit (Officer) awarded by former Governor General, Madame Jeanne Sauve.

During retirement he flew and enjoyed working with the staff and air cadets at the Air Cadet Gliding Center and the volunteers at the North Bay Civil Air Search and Rescue unit. He was a member and chaplain of the RCAF Association 422 Wing and a chairperson of the Nipissing Ontario Genealogy Society Branch.

He spent several years as a volunteer on-call chaplain at the North Bay General Hospital. He also served for many years at Bethel Gospel Chapel and St. Brice’s Anglican Church.

Throughout his life Don was blessed and sustained by his loving wife, children and many relatives and dear friends of numerous years.

A memorial service (service of remembrance) will be held at Cavill-Turner Funeral Home in Gravenhurst, ON on Friday, July 19 at 11:00 am.

“Love, like a carefully loaded ship, crosses the gulf between the generations.” ~ Antoine de Saint Exupery

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