Donald Marks

MARKS, Donald Boyd a long-time resident of Truro, Nova Scotia passed away peacefully on January 7, 2015 at the Pembroke Regional Hospital, Ontario. Don was born in Halifax and was the son of the late Greta and Lawrin Marks. For the past three years Don resided at Riverview Heights Retirement Residence in Pembroke. He is survived by his daughter Lorna Sibley (Mike), Pembroke and his sister Marion (Malcolm) Byrne of Burlington, ON and sister-in-law Frances Marks, Dartmouth and his nieces and nephews. Don was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Heather Stevens (MacKinnon) Marks (2008), and his sons Robert "Bob" Marks (1995) and Donald G. "Don" Marks (2006) and his brother Greer Marks (2013). In 1991 Don retired from Forestry Canada after 44 ½ years with the federal government working in a variety of locations and in different capacities. Beginning in 1947 he was with the Forest Insect and Disease Survey working at Cathedral Barracks in Halifax. From 1951 to 1966, Don managed the Forest Biology lab at Debert. The Christmas Tree Growers began working closely with Don to tackle their insect and disease problems. Don met Heather in a Biology Lab at Dalhousie University. They were married in Bedford United Church in 1953 and moved to Truro. From 1966 to 1970 Don worked as a Forest Biology Ranger in Western Nova Scotia to monitor the presence of pests and disease organisms. When the lab at Debert was closed in 1970, Don transferred to Fire Science at the Halifax International Airport. He was a member of a two-man team responsible for setting up a grid of weather stations that would provide the data required for the new science of forecasting forest fire danger. From 1975 until his retirement in 1991, Don was Forestry Canada's tree pest extension officer for N.S. and P.E.I. His surveillance for Dutch Elm disease resulted in the establishment of Tree Commissions to combat this problem. In 1985 the city of Victoria, B.C. awarded Don with an honourary Citizen's Certificate in recognition of his work with Dr. Doug Embree to control the winter moth infestation that had been destroying the city's oak trees. Don and Heather enjoyed many years of RV'ing and travelling in Canada and the Atlantic seaboard states of U.S.A. as well as visiting several European countries. Summers spent along the Northumberland shore of N.S. and especially at Seafoam campground were special times shared with their exceptional Seafoam family. Don was a member of the Canadian Red Cross and an Envoy of Beta Sigma Phi. He was instrumental in establishing the route for a year round walking event in Truro after his experience with volksmarching in Germany. Photography was a favourite hobby and he enjoyed selecting photos each year for his personalized Christmas cards. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 12 from 2-4 and 6-8 in Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow Street, Truro. There will be a service in Truro to celebrate Don's life on Tuesday, January 13 at 2 pm in St. John's Anglican Church with Rev. Lori Ramsey officiating. A Memorial Service to celebrate Don's life will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Pembroke on Friday, February 20 at 2 pm with The Venerable Robert Davis officiating. No flowers please. Donations in Don's memory may be made to Holy Trinity Anglican Church Roof Fund. Online donations and condolences are available at www.mdbfuneralhome.com