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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
HORNE, Donald George (Don / Donnie) - Ode to Democracy and Her Children of all Ages; May They Strongly Survive All Storms! What is a life - lest we forget our Veterans' joys. challenges. and lessons of democracy and those of our own and loved ones before it's too late. Obituary and Educational Public-Service Health Message from the Heart. Donald ("Don/Donnie"), George Horne October 9, 1936 - July 20, 2023. The Life in democracy of Donald George Horne: the Man; his Interests and Hobbies; his Death; Family Ties; Childhood Experiences and Influences; Work Ethic, Personality as a Husband/Father, and Health History; Lessons of Death for Instructional Purposes; Fare Thee Well, Donald; and Memorial Activities Planned for the Celebration of his Life - with food/fun and games of challenge! "An Interesting Nova-Scotian Veteran's Life Lived/Underlived as a Result of the Times, Places, and Mindsets of His Earthly Journey among Us" - Let it respectfully speak and teach uncensored. Donald, the Man: The now-late Donald George Horne at 86 years old, of Dartmouth, was the fourth child in a dynamic eight of the late Dorothy (Rudland) and late George Horne. First and foremost in conveying what is sincerely intended to be an educationally comprehensive and celebratory overview of Donald's life, is that he loved to communicate and engage in conversation; he delighted in gaining knowledge; and he shared his acquired wisdom/experiences as the inherent and professional teacher he was. It is hoped you will ideally learn from the information herein and advocate as a Canadian taxpayer and Citizen or otherwise do so more effectively by being appropriately supported in your efforts. In Donald's sharing of knowledge he wished to impart understanding, humour, insight, facts, evidence, or whatever the case may be under many and varied circumstances, including those in which he told it like it was, "no ifs, and's, or but's, about it". A great example of Donald's intended communicational effort and its effects is when he gave his young children a first-aid Heimlich-maneuver lesson, enlisting their mother for an abdominal-thrust demonstration. The family instruction resulted in (1.) their being entertained, but also fully awakened to the realities of such first-aid and its precise need/effectual treatment; and it resulted in (2.) one of his daughters/ this writer, many years later, telling her restaurant customer to "stand up, sir", pulling his chair away, and proficiently saving the chocking-man's life as a waitress at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax. Donald's life motto was "united we stand, divided we fall" and it, indeed, can be seen in his ways and actions on various fronts and will hopefully be duly conveyed in his obituary. To that end, many sea emergencies were also likely avoided as a result of Donald's having utmost conscientiously and professionally taught captains and crews, Coast Guard employees, ferryboat employees, and many other students about the various physical and intellectual matters necessary for seamanship, rescue, and first aid as an expert, hands-on Nova Scotia Nautical Institute instructor. Ironically, before retiring in 1979, after 25 years as a professional sailor (from 1954 in the role of a boatswain/Bos'n) on a variety of ships, from aircraft carriers to mine sweepers, he himself, suffered significant injuries and life-long disabilities at the hands of the Royal Canadian Navy, which, unfortunately at the time, did not take such matters as seriously as it does today. In an onboard accident in 1972, for instance, he and shipmates were sent out to do a job in a heavy storm and almost met their deaths of being washed overboard by a huge wave. (Watch Internet videos on rogue "monster" waves, for instance, as a lesson in such a potential demise). Maritime/and most military occupational hazards are a very serious business, can result in extreme injuries, and are in need of attentive consideration and formidable insurance/compensation (the latter of which often lacking upon applications, regrettably). In the case of Donald and his shipmates, it was like being sent out unharnessed to do a roofing job in a hurricane (aka criminal negligence in legal terms, but like most things hindsight has 20/20 vision regarding accidents). Fortunately, students in Donald's classes were being taught by someone who had been an avid, capable, and responsible learner from early childhood within and outside the school system, his older brother, John, recalls. Moreover, John says "nothing bothered Donald [or their brother Tom, in fact, who also joined the Navy]. Additionally, "Donald would not back away from anything", John explains. It was in Donald's nature to help others physically and mentally given the opportunity, he remembers, because Donald truly enjoyed being of service, challenging himself, and competing for sport or intellectual strength - the latter probably inspired by having six brothers and only one sister, who was the much younger sixth child. Generally, Donald, his parents, his seven siblings, and extended family members were well liked, trusted, and appreciated in their neighbourhoods and when needs arose. Donald's great uncle, for instance, was the well-respected Halifax/ Dartmouth Chief of Police from 1907-1916, John A. Rudland (a military major who left his police role to serve as captain of the 219th [Highlanders] Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, to train them in Aldershot, and lead them overseas. Chief Rudland survived the ordeal of WWI and worked elsewhere in the military upon arriving home. Donald and the family loved and cherished him and his wife Ann. John and Donald confirmed he was "quite a man" and had been "the chief of everything it seemed", John says, including the fire chief before becoming police chief. Thus, as an enthusiastic and impressionable teenager, Donald joined the Navy in the belief that he would be able to dutifully serve his country, the world, and make a positive difference as ably as he could. Carl, who was the younger brother directly after Donald, joined the Canadian Air Force as his career choice. Donald wanted to become a Naval diver initially (perhaps after having practically grown his own metaphorical gills swimming in lakes near his home). He once was met by a city official on the other side of Lake Banook after having swam directly across; and he was told to walk back, "all the way around in his swim trunks", he insultingly remembered. Donald became and worked diligently in the comprehensive role of a Boatswain/Bos'n, which is said to be so vital that there would be no navy or any other substantial seafaring adventure without it; including those of pirates, proof of which is their having compensated that important job a high percentage of loot equal to that of the vital doctor's role. Naval lifestyle (not unlike a pirate's in many ways), had something else to offer sailors, like all those in the military generally back then, which Donald was not so physically ably prepared for: the naval "rum tot" tradition, then greater quantities of likewise "devil's brew", mostly beer in his case, and the unfortunate health effects thereof especially for those whose brains are neurologically susceptible to and regrettable victims of an overdrinking-and-aggression tendency, including members of all ranks in the military (which has mended its ways in this regard, so to speak). The Memorial Activities Planned for Donald's Legion Service as a Veteran, and following Celebration of His Life, include food, fun, and games of challenge: There will be a traditional Legion Last Post/Commemorative Service at 2 p.m. and a Life Celebration/social-gathering thereafter until 8 p.m. on August 16th, upstairs at the Somme Branch #31 Legion, located at 54 King St., Dartmouth. Cremation has taken place by the nearby long-serving (est. 1940), Dartmouth Funeral Home, 29 Queen St.; whose services have been wonderful, as always, especially those of Funeral Director Glenda Henneberry, CFSP, and where online condolences and messages are generously hosted and welcomed. A private memorial service and cremains-release/goodbye will take place in the future. In place of flowers, etcetera, please make patriotic donations to current national-security and freedom-protecting endeavours, such as the honourable efforts of Canadian Constitutional lawyer Rocco Galati; Police on Guard for Thee (POG); Mounties4Freedom; Robert Kennedy Jr's Children Health Defense, and/or Druthers newspaper. Thank you very kindly; and live long/prosper for us all from the inside out. (The Saltwire Network 11 Aug 2023)
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