Obituary of Donald Davis Thistle

The family of Donald Davis Thistle sadly announces his passing at Corner Brook Long Term Care, on February 7, 2024 at the age of 97. 

Don ( Blackie) was born in Corner Brook to Gertrude Louise (Davis) Thistle and Jesse Gordon Thistle (both deceased) on September 6, 1926. He was the first of 4 children, 2 brothers who died in infancy and a sister Jean Louise Thistle Haisell (Don), who predeceased him.

He was married to Sylvia Lavinia Wentzell for 72 years. They were among the first residents of Steady Brook NL, and lived there, on the river, until moving into care in 2017. Don was very involved in the municipal council of his beloved community for 50 years.
He attended Mount Allison University where he was also in the Air Force reserve training for warservice, towards the end of WW2. 

Over his very long life, Don was involved in Boy Scouts as a scout and leader, the Corner Brook junior ski club in Massey Drive, Kinsmen, Rotary, Flowers Canada and early days of Marble Mountain Ski Club. He was also a founding member of Bay of Islands Yacht Club. He enjoyed being a judge, along with Sylvia, for Tidy Towns in NL for many years. He held various executive positions in these groups.

He retired early from the electrical department at Bowaters to open Thistledown Florists and Nursery, which operated in Steady Brook and Corner Brook for many years. He was a skilled floral designer. 

He leaves his wife Sylvia, 3 daughters: Christine Thistle-English(Derm), Donna Thistle, Kim Thistle (Sean Dolter), 7 grandchildren: Angus (Sacha), Duncan (Peggy), Davis (Emily), Amy (Jean), Heather, Jesse (Trevor) and Zack, as well as great grandchildren: Melodie, Molly, Sophia, Rèmi, Bosco, Lilou, Leo, Marco, Lenox and Leef, and step sister Elizabeth Glover (Jack) and their children, sister in law Hughena Luther, brothers in law Jack Hollands and Willis Martin as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and siblings, he was predeceased by stepmother Eileen (Downing)Thistle and sisters in law Ula Byrne, Mona Hollands and Linda Martin.

We offer boatloads of thanks to Doctor Bob O’Driscoll, the staff on 3 south LTC, and the Corner Brook library, for their kindness and care in the last few years.

We will remember him as being a dry wit, kind, welcoming and encouraging. His oft used phrases; “I could eat my shirt”, “we’re off like a dirty shirt”, “how’s she coming?”, “bless your cotton socks” and a few others have been passed on to his children, grand and great grandchildren to their delight and amusement.

As he often said in recent years, “I’ve made peace my maker and I’m ready to go.”  So off he went, he weighed anchor on a beautiful day with a bright blue sky, and sailed over the horizon.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date.