Obituary of Donald Joseph Clifton Wells

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Don Wells, our beloved husband, father, pop, and friend to many, at the age of 83. He died peacefully at his home in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, in the care of his devoted wife, Anne, after a courageous five-year health journey.

Leaving behind a lifetime of memories, Don is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anne; his children: Roxanne (Adam), Robert (Sarah), Ryan (Morgan), and Regina; his cherished grandchildren: Devin, Haley, Owen, and Wesley; and his grand pups: Hank, Marley, and Jessie. He is also survived by his brother George Wells, sisters-in-law Cora Wells and Debbie Wells, and brother-in-law Robert Young.

Predeceased by his parents George and Emma, his siblings Bette, Joan, Dave, Reg, Sam, and Wayne, as well as brother-in-law Tommy MacInnis and sister-in-law Jean Wells.

Don will be deeply missed by his lifelong best friends and fellow troublemakers, Ernie McLean and Emmett Eldershaw, along with a large circle of family, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Raised in Stephenville, Don ventured away to join the Hudson’s Bay Company, embarking on a journey that would lead him to meet the love of his life, 51 years ago, while working in North West River, Labrador. Together, they traveled across the country and back, creating a life filled with adventure and love. Their cherished cottage in Prince Edward Island became a beloved gathering place for family and friends, a constant in their ever-evolving lives.

An avid volunteer, Don proudly served as a Rotarian for over 30 years, relishing the social interactions it provided. His favorite event was packing parcels for Santa to the Coast. After retiring, he surprised everyone by transitioning from “lifetime supervisor” to carpenter and Mr. Fix-It, often teaming up with his son-in-law Adam. As a dedicated chauffeur for Devin and Haley, he was always the first in line at the school parking lot, and he cherished his FaceTimes with Owen and Wesley.

He particularly loved when his boys, Rob and Ryan, returned “home” to PEI for the summer, creating moments when the family was complete. He was an organized fellow and got anxious about the rest of his families lack of promptness known ironically as “Wells Time”. He always had a smile and breathed a sigh of relief “ok good” when the family reunion tickets were booked and dates finalized all thanks to Morgan and Sarah. Don was a daily fixture at both A&W and Tim Horton’s, always on the lookout for “the gossip.” He enjoyed outdoor adventures, even the ones he grumbled about at the time, especially with his beloved wife Anne by his side. His charm effortlessly captivated his daughters Roxanne and Regina, who made his every whim magically come true, despite Anne’s playful protests to stop spoiling him.

Don cherished the time spent with friends and family, particularly those who cooked him a meal, a treat, or wild game. He was fortunate to make friends in PEI and everywhere he moved—from Newfoundland to Labrador, Ontario, and back—sharing food, laughter, and good stories that formed the center of every memory.

We are grateful to the kindness, compassion, and hard work of the large health care teams both in Labrador and in PEI he connected with the last five years.  Special thanks to Dr. Mike Curran for going the extra mile.  Most importantly, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to his chief nurse, his wife Anne, whose patience and unwavering love supported him until the end.  We often said he won the lottery when he married her.

Thank you to all who helped make the last five years special, providing comfort, laughter, an extra hand, and new memories. We are truly grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's memory to a charity of your choice.

Family and friends may visit Fillatre’s Funeral Home on Wednesday October 23rd, 2024, from the hours of 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Happy Valley—Goose Bay, NL, on Thursday, October 24th, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Nellie Thomas officiating. Burial ceremony and further celebrations to take place in his final resting place in PEI.