HOSKING, Donald
DON HOSKING April 20, 1939 DASH November 14, 2014 On Friday November 14, 2014, surrounded by his loving family, Don Hosking died peacefully at his beloved Twin Lakes. Don will be very missed by many. Children Tricia (Jim), Amy, Michael (Michelle), Jamie (Erin), will always remember the calamity and hilarity that ensued growing up with a father like Don. Later in life, Don renewed his childhood friendship with Gail Neill Ross (Irv Ross - 2001), who became his loving companion. Don loved Gail's children Cathy (Phil), Ian (Laura) like they were his own, and wouldn't hesitate to tell them when they were doing things the wrong way either. He was also blessed with a gaggle of grandkids - Liam, Owen, Julia and Colin and baby Ross. Don leaves his sister Xandra (Cardie) Skrinda and their children Kathy, Jamie and Maggie. Don had an awesome mining career that was in his blood from birth and took him into the bush with his father, Bill, as a young boy. In 1968 father and son started Hosking Diamond Drilling. Don was a responsible business owner who always ensured that safety was first and he still holds Quebec's record for the deepest AQ. He still has a strong bond with many men who worked for him throughout the years. Edmond St. Gelais and Michel Bourque especially. After Don "retired", the international mining community rallied and hired him to teach and oversee many projects. Don's business card said "the world is my workplace" and indeed it was as his consulting work took him to 38 countries. In honour of his distinguished career, Don received lifetime achievement awards in recent years from the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association, the Canadian Institute of Mining and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. Recently, Don embarked on an acting career. Rather than heading to LA, Don chose to accept a cameo role in the blockbuster hit "Skating to New York" which filmed in New Liskeard and premiered last winter in Toronto. To this day, the friendships Don made while playing every sport possible at Lakefield College School have been everlasting. He attended an "old boys" reunion in April this year and as usual, he was the life of the party! They all called him Frenchie and he will be especially missed by fellow schoolmate John "Moose" Ballachey, his childhood friend from Noranda, Quebec. Don will always be fondly remembered as "Mr. Regatta" by families at Hudson Lakes. He called all of the races for more than 40 years and only recently retired. In the past few years, Don and life-long lake friend Peter Taylor ran a regatta BBQ that raised funds for the local food bank. In heaven, Don will be re-united with his wife of 25 years, Lorraine Gratton and his daughter Gayle. Please join Don's family to celebrate his life at the Hudson Township Hall on Thursday November 20, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.. A small ceremony will take place at 4:00 p.m.. For those who can't attend, please raise a glass of white wine, (preferably from a box) and make a toast to Don wherever you are. In lieu of flowers, donation in Don's name can be made to the Ontario chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association.
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