Donald Thorburn

Donald Spencer Thorburn, 90, of Cape Coral, FL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 11, 2011, with his loving daughter, friends, and caregivers at his side. Donald was born June 18, 1921, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, the eldest son of Cameron and Gladys Thorburn. He married his wife, Eileen Mary (Green) Thorburn, of Essex, England, in 1947. His beloved Eileen preceded him in death in September, 2009, only weeks away from celebrating 62 years together. During World War Two, Donald helped protect democracy and freedom through his service in the Royal Canadian Army. Having enlisted on the day that Hitler captured France in June, 1940, Don served as a Corporal radiographer, until December 1945. During his service Mr. Thorburn was under shell fire in both Africa and Italy. He also saw enemy action in England, Africa, Italy, and Belgium, having received the Canadian Volunteer Service Award. The Windsor of Cape Coral, where Donald lived lovingly with other dear residents and wonderful caregivers for his last two years of life, honored Donald during every veteran?s event, and provided the music of Mr. George Cook, noted bag piper of Southwest Florida. Soon after military discharge, Donald met and married his loving wife, Eileen, and in 1950 he graduated from the University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Engineering. His abilities began a successful career that took him and his family to Ohio, where he, Eileen, and their daughter Carolyn became proud American Citizens in 1961. Later, he and Eileen moved to New York City and Huntington, Connecticut, where, from 1979-81, Donald served as Commodore of the Pootatuck Yacht Club in Stratford, Connecticut. In 1986, Donald and Eileen retired to Cape Coral, FL., where they both enjoyed boating, playing bridge, socializing with their wonderful SE 40th Street neighbors, and were licensed ham radio officers, both members of the Cape Coral amateur radio organization. Donald leaves to cherish his loving memory: his daughter, Dr. Carolyn Rae (Thorburn) Shuman and his beloved son?-in-law, Gary H. Shuman, of Georgia and Bermuda; his loving grandson, Dennis Lee Atkin, Jr., and Denny?s loving wife, Dawn Marie, and their beloved son, Donald?s great grandson, Carter Thorburn Atkin, named after his grandfather, all of Seattle, WA. In Canada, Donald leaves his beloved sister Miss Margaret Elsie Thorburn of Hamilton and St. Catherine?s Ontario, who also spent more than 20 years at her summer home in Port Charlotte, FL. Margaret?s twin brother, Hugh Thorburn and Donald?s loving sister-in-law, Esther Thorburn, preceded Donald in death; also Donald remains in the hearts of his beloved niece Marion Thorburn Waldron, and nephews Roy, Cameron, and Douglas, as well as many nieces, especially his beloved great-niece Karen, her husband and children, and other nieces and nephews who live in Canada. Mr. George Cook will again provide bagpipe music to remember Donald at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 19, 2011 during a celebration of his life conducted at The Windsor, 831 Santa Barbara Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33991. All his friends and family are invited. A private interment ceremony will be held at sea provided by Captain Pat at Cape Charters with the captain?s loving first mate, Nancy. The family greatly appreciates the care, compassion and service provided to Donald in his final days from Windsor of Cape Coral, Home Instead Senior Care and Hope Hospice. We request that, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gendron Funeral & Cremation Services In., 4224 Cleveland Avenue, Suite #1, Fort Myers, FL 33901, (239) 274-0088. Those who wish to offer condolences to the family should visit Donald?s memorial webpage on the funeral home?s website at www.gendronfuneralhome.com . Please sign the guestbook.

Donald Thorburn

June 18, 1921 - December 11, 2011