Donald Patrick Hawco

Donald “Don” Patrick Hawco passed away peacefully April 17th, 2021, at the age of 66, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born and raised in Buchans and later moved to Harbour Main where he met the love of his life, Marion Dalton, whom he married in 1978.  After they married, Don, an accomplished carpenter, built a home in Harbour Main where they have lived ever since, filling it over the years with love and memories of raising their children Donny and Justin (and many pets), hosting family Sunday dinner, and enjoying quiet cups of tea in the kitchen.

Don loved being in the woods and would often spend many weekends, with his family, cutting their annual source of heat for the winter. The smell of burnt toast, beans and wieners over the campfire will never be forgotten, as it was a staple on the long winter days. When not in the woods, Don spent most of his free time driving around the province to hockey games and tournaments and spent countless hours at the rink supporting both of his sons. He could always be found leaning against the handrail hollering words of encouragement and the occasional “get your arse in gear”.

Don was a hard-working man who instilled the same trait into both his sons at a very early age by having them mow the soccer field size lawn with a push mower, shovel the 8-car driveway and split wood by hand. Don was not a foolish man, once his sons flew the nest, he quickly purchased a sit-on lawn mower, snowplow, and electric wood splitter.  

Later in life, Don grew an appreciation for gardening and could often be found at the bottom of the yard in his ever-expanding vegetable garden, which he was quite proud of. Though his greatest gift in life were his grandkids. Although distance prevented as much personal interaction as he would have liked, they always brought a big smile to his face. His biggest regret would have been that he was unable to finish the playroom “shed” that he promised them. Although the time was short, “Poppy Don” made an everlasting impression on each of them.     

Don is survived by his wife, Marion, sons; Donny (Heather) and Justin (Leslie), grandchildren; Eva, Leighton, Jason and Liam mother, Agnes, brothers; Tom (Theresa), Kevin (Staish) and Gerard (Shirley), sisters; Mary (Wayne) and Carol Ann (Greg), sister-in-law, Mena (Nick), brothers and sisters-in-law; George (Alice), Ed (Gerianne), Bill (Joan), Assumpta (John) and Rose (Charlie), along with nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased in death by his father Thomas, brother Edward, sister Helen, parents-in-law William & Agnes Dalton and niece Lorraine Nichols.

Resting at Dunphy's Funeral Home, Holyrood. Public Visitation will be in keeping with Covid-19 Regulations and will take place on on Friday, August 20, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The funeral service will be by invitation only due to Covid-19 Restrictions. Mass of Christion Burial will be celebrated at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Harbour Main on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 10:30 am with inurnment to follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Chapel's Cove. For those unable to attend, the funeral mass will be livestreamed with the link available below.

A special thank you to Dr. Jason Ralph, the health care professionals and staff at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital and Eastern Health Dialysis Unit | Mount Pearl for their loving care and support as he battled his illness, and specifically during his final days.

If friends so desire, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Cancer or Kidney Foundation.