Donald George Zielinski

Donald George Zielinski (Rubbermaid Man) (66) passed away peacefully on Sunday November 3, 2019 from ALS at his Sudbury Ontario residence surrounded by love. Don was born in Sudbury Ontario on May 8, 1953 to his parents Maria and Stefan Zielinski (predeceased). He, along with his five siblings, grew up in Sudbury and attended Lasalle Secondary School. Don followed his passion and obtained an undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo in Geography and his teaching credentials at Queens University in Kingston.  He worked for the Municipality of Toronto as a Senior Bylaw Enforcement Officer when he started his family. Subsequently, he raised his children in Lasalle Quebec.  Don was a naturalist by heart. He had an unending curiousity and explored all the hidden corners of his natural world where ever he happened to be.  He loved nature and fishing and the highlight of his various adventures was whale watching on the Bay of Fundy from Brier Island.  The Ottawa Senators were his favourite hockey team but he enjoyed all sports.  Don was a thinker and a poet.  He has published hundreds of poems on the online AllPoetry.com. One of his poems was formally published by Harper & Collins in a school book in India. Throughout his struggle with ALS, he maintained his sense of humour and faced his trials with bravery and courage. Don is survived by his partner Crystal McCollom.  He was a loving father/grandfather to Natasha (son Zachary) and Nicholas of Montreal.  He is also survived by his brothers Walter and Mick (wife Jane and children Tyler, Laura and Jenna) and his sister Mary Sonia Cameron (husband Archie).  Predeceased siblings include his sisters Christina Williams and Olga Hawkins. The family wishes to acknowledge the special care that he received from the Ottawa ALS clinic, staff and physicians at Health Sciences North, the Northeast LHIN, the Shared Care Team, Bayshore, Home Instead Care, and Seniors Care. Don’s legacy to us all is his love of nature.  His spirit will be carried on the wind where ever a wild place can be found. A celebration of Donald’s life will be held Wednesday November 6th, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Simple Wishes of the North Sudbury. Arrangements have been made with Simple Wishes of the North, Sudbury.

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