For Posterity's Sake         

A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar 

BALANOFF, Vladeslof (Don) (Sr.) - Passed away at Hospice Wellington in Guelph, ON, after less than 24 hours away from his own home, on September 27, 2011. Vlad lived in Puslinch, ON for the last 15 years, formerly of Toronto and childhood near Major, SK. Beloved husband of Julia (nee Kucher) for 67 years. Father of Georgina Flannery (Raymond) of Newton, MA and Don Jr. (Connie) of Waterloo, ON. Dear eldest brother of Francis (deceased), Elaine Betchtold (Irv), Boris (Phyllis), Josephine Hubbard and James, and many loved nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents Metody and Branislawa. In addition, Don will be sadly missed by his wide circle of friends. The delight of Don's life was flying as a private pilot, starting with flying his young family across Canada in the early 60s. A special thanks to his long-time co-pilot Barry Craig for somehow getting him in the plane and aloft this last year. Don was known for his ability to overcome any problem. Although he was functionally blind, he passed away with a cordless drill, circular saw and micrometer in the basket of his walker. What he lacked in formal education he made up for with abundant innate ability and tenaciousness. Don left a difficult life on the prairie farm to apprentice as an electrician in Chicago. Seminal to his personality, he served in the North Atlantic with the RCN during WWII. After the war he worked as an electrician with Canada Post and TDSB for many years, as well as running his own business. He retired to a busy life on his hobby farm, keeping bees, working on his projects and nurturing an active social network. He was an amazing guy! He was cremated as he wished. We invite family and friends to celebrate his life 2-5 p.m. Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Puslinch Community Centre, 23 Brock Rd. S., Aberfoyle. If you have a story, please bring it to an open mike at 3 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society or Nature Conservancy of Canada. (Guelph Mercury 09 Oct 2011)