March 29, 1964 – October 29, 2023
On October 29, 2023, we lost our beloved brother Don.
Don was born on Easter Sunday, March 29, 1964, the youngest of Peter (deceased) and Toni’s (deceased) seven children. A gift from the Easter Bunny, or so the story goes. Perhaps this mythical origin bestowed Don with his superpower — the power to bring joy, love, laughter, and friendship to all of us who were lucky enough to have him in our lives. More likely, it was a channeling of his dad’s gregarious silliness and love of people and his Mom’s fiercely compassionate, caring heart. Whatever its origins, Don brightened the lives of everyone who knew him. With his grace. With his humor and antics. With his quirky philosophical outlook. With his big, sweet heart.
As anyone who knows Don can imagine — he was an awesome uncle! He cherished his nieces and nephews, and they him. He filled their childhood with magic and the best kinds of mischief. His friendships with them grew as they became adults. During his last months and days, they brought Don great comfort and joy. They and their partners have also been an incredible support to us, his siblings, during this time, dropping off food, visiting, and comforting us in our grief. A special thanks to his eldest niece “Dr. Nicole,” who acted as his trusted medical advocate.
Don’s capacity for love, connection, and community was absolutely astounding. He sustained lifelong friendships with his cousins and their families in Canada and the Netherlands, with high school and university friends, and with his many work colleagues. He never forgot a birthday, or special occasion. His Christmas card list is as epic as the hijinks that went into their creation.
Don also struggled with depression and mental health challenges. He bravely shared his struggles and his victories with his community as he moved through them. His writings were inspirational in their honesty, wisdom, and compassion.
We lost a good man, a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend who inspired us all to be more generous, compassionate, humble — and of course — foolish in the best of possible ways. We will miss him, our bright star, beyond measure even has we continue to bask in the warm glow he brought to our lives.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 12PM to 4PM on Tuesday, November 14 at the Anavets Assiniboia Unit #283, 3584 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you pay it forward in some way.
Don has been a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, people struggling with mental health issues, with homelessness or hunger, with cancer… the list goes on and on.
Spread the love! That’s what Don would want.
44 thoughts on “Donald Vosters”
To Don’s entire Family and friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I pass along my condolences to you all. I just learned of Don’s passing today and it just knocked the wind right out of my sails. I saw Don just last year at one of our friend’s memorial service and Don looked great, and he was still so Donny ! I hadn’t seen him in over 30 years but he walked up to me, held out his hand and gave me a hug. So Donny. My fondest memory was when I turned 18, Donny ( “King” we called him in those days ) missed my celebration bc he had to work that evening. But 2 nights later there was a knock at my parents front door and surprise, it was Donny. He was there to take me out for a beer bc he felt bad he missed my 18th birthday. I think we only ended up having two that evening bc I was still slightly hungover. This was the Donny I always knew, and this will be the Donny I will always remember. Happy Travels King
Miss you so much already Don. I am saddened that we didn’t talk much in the last 2 months and I wish I could have told you how much you meant to Abbey and I. I cherish my copy of the “Le Petit Prince” that you send us for Christmas many years ago and I will read it again now and think of you. As I much as I wish you were still her, I find peace in knowing that you are not in pain or discomfort. Love you lots friend, forever and ever. Jenny
Thank you Don for being a kind & loyal friend since grade 3. You always made me feel seen by your welcoming smile and thoughtful words. I will miss your passionate chats and Corky sense of humour.
Love Deb
What an incredibly beautiful eulogy. Although I didn’t know John he has obviously left a legacy of love and light that will shine on through the generations. Deepest condolences to all the Voster family. Pauline Taylor. Protection Island.
What a beautifully written tribute to such a warm and compasionate human. We are so sorry for your loss.
Lisa & Sammy Mittelstadt
Dearest Don we grew up together starting at the Keg in 1985, super Don always impressing the world by doing super human act carrying three dish racks at once , doing a back flip over the bar . At 20 I just thought you were a little crazy but with the biggest heart. Later In Life our paths crossed again working side by side at the keg now as managers, you always had my back we understood each other like old familiar friends do always they’re the constant . Then we met up again while working at the LC , little did I know the guy with the big heart would help with once again with my partners mental illness always being their to understand and never pass judgment. You have touched my life deeply Don I will miss you physically but you are part of everyone who new you , the light shines on . Xoxo
Don will be greatly missed by everyone whose heart he touched, and he touched so many hearts. I always looked forward to seeing him on my trips to Winnipeg. Somehow he always made time for me, and I’m so appreciative of it. He had the biggest heart of anyone I know, and kept it full of people. Full as his heart must have been, he always found room for more of us.
It is now up to the rest of us to ensure that his legacy of love and kindness continues to live on.
I met Voss through my now husband, Jeff. He was like the brother I never had. He was the type of person that as soon as you met him, it was like you were old friends. I will miss his hugs, his birthday and Mother’s Day texts and his Christmas cards. I feel grateful that I got to know him. He was an amazing person My condolences to his family and friends.
I worked with Don at the Keg on Garry from 1995 to 1999. I was a young 15 yr old kid when i started and Don always made it pleasent. I would see him around the city from time to time and always had a smile. Rest easy Don.
You did spread the love Donald
I worked with Voss for years and was lucky to have called him a friend. I will miss his birthday greetings. Thank you for informing me after the fact that dutch tourists do not like to be touched….
Dear Voss and Family,
From our first mtg in 1982,i felt a bond with you. We went on our hospitality journey together. Always reconnected thru the years. I Thought you were invincible as you always said ,ALWAYS loving and protective of Family and friends. You can Finally sleep my friend , Peace.
Hacksaw.
He was very pure hearth, he was a great frien in fnf at Laval, caring, and joyfull
My dear Voss,
hired same day 1982, dishogs, busboy,appycooks,servers, bartender What a journey together @The Keg -The best if the best. Stawberries, shooters , 1941 tabletop,Woody.,st. Duncan ,camaraderie,house parties,reconnection Your love n encouragement to my family Bday,anni notes You are one in an man who fell to earth 💕Love ya and live to your family
Hacksaw
Don will be greatly missed. My condolences go out to his family in this rough time. May he always be a beacon of light for others in their struggles. Loved, adored, and cherished.
CANCER SUCKS !!!!!
Am so very sorry to see this news. Don was such a warm bright original light – even for those of us who only knew him briefly 30 years ago. My deep condolences to his entire family.
For all of us who knew Don, he was larger than life. I was privileged meeting Don while working at the Keg during the 1980’s. We had many shift’s together bartending. His crazy sense of humour, his hard work ethic and his enormous smile has always stayed with me over all these years. God I miss those days! God I will miss Don! Rest In Peace!
Dear Don – I would say your light and love will be missed, but I have a sneaking suspicion it has only grown stronger as you join the stars in heaven. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the Voss world, filled with laughter, love, and honesty.
Don, growing up knowing you was always fun and adventurous yet your caring heart was ever present. High school memories and such fun times with your generous and mischievous smiles was your superpower. Seeing you in Canmore a few years ago and again in Calgary was a memorable time for me. You always had a way of bringing joy and immense love to people around you and took the time to send Birthday and other holiday wishes every year, such kindness.
My heart goes out to the Vosters family and sending you all so much love ❤️
Forever Hugs
I met sweet Don during my days at Université Laval back in the early 90s.I in ESL, Don in FLS…we were a bunch of anglos from all over who met through our love of the French language….and fun! I stayed and made my life in Montréal, choosing to live as a displaced Newfie for the last 30 years. Don kept in touch, especially through social media, and sent me a Christmas card every year; finding me even through my numerous moves. We often chatted about depression, politics, philosophy and gratitude. I am so blessed to have crossed his path. He let me know when he got sick but I had no idea of just how serious it was, Don being the ultimate optimist and ray of light. I’m shocked, devastated and sad. We lost a great man. His kindness, generosity, humour and loving demeanour were unprecedented. Sending my deepest condolences to the family and friends. He will live in our hearts forever. RIP sweet Donny. 💔💔🕊️🕊️❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
You’ll forever be missed and I’m glad out of all the people in the world we became friends. ❤️
Much Love,
Janny
Dear Don,
You are a true Kegger! Your positivity was always abundant and your travelling shooter bar was a huge success! I have known you for so many years and you always were generous with your words of wisdom. Always asking about my mom Joan every time I saw you 🙂 You and I worked our last gig at Laurent’s charity fundraiser for Autism this past June and as always you worked so very hard. I did not know that woukd be the last time I would see you in this lifetime, but I am so very happy that I got to see you! I hope all of your questions are finally answered and I know you are with your mom and dad. All my love Voss, sleep well you have earned it for all the kindness you have shown to everyone on this earth.
My sincere sympathy to the Vosters family with the death of Don. I met him on Protection Island, where he was visiting with his sister and brother. His smile, and friendly manner, and obvious love for his siblings, stayed with me. Reading the beautiful tribute, I see Don spread love and light wherever he was. Blessings.
Kindness. Light. Donny. ❤️
It was in the eighties and Donald had booked a trip to Europe.
I was working as a teacher in Bladel. One day I was teaching and all the children in my classroom started to laugh. There was a funny man in front of the window. An unexpected visitor. That was Donald.
I invited him in and we had a great afternoon with that “strange” man from Canada. The children loved it, and I even more.
This is one of the good memories I have from Donald.
He was a very special person, and he could also make you feel very special.
Rest in peace, dear Donald.
Forever in our hearts.
The beautiful tribute from his siblings says it all. Thank you.
What a gift was Don’s friendship!
His pure, kind heart, his ingenuity, his energy, his love of wisdom.
He will be missed.
We send condolences to his beloved siblings, nieces & nephews, extended family and friends – wishing you strength in the days ahead.
Much love,
Kato & Erwin
I was very saddened to hear the news of Don’s passing and my heart goes out to your family. I worked with Don at the Garry Street Keg in the 1980’s. I remember he was alway smiling , always positive and you just knew he was genuinely “kind” soul. Even though I hadn’t seen Don in many years as I moved to Toronto, we kept in touch via Facebook and IG. He never missed my birthday and sending me a lovely note. We definitely need more Don’s in this world and I will miss hearing from him. RIP Don.
Sherene
I knew Don for 45 years, working together at McDonalds when we were teens and later at the Keg in our 20’s.
He had the biggest heart imaginable and was never afraid to be his authentic self. He helped so many, myself included, by sharing his struggles, and he never had a bad word to say about anyone. I loved getting his birthday and Mothers day messages as did hundreds of his friends.. Hearing from Don always brightened my day and inspired me . I will be grateful for ever that he was a part of my life. and will miss him deeply. Condolences to his family and everyone who loved him.
So sorry to hear will miss your hilarity and kind ways Karen and I always loved bumping into you and getting a full explanation on every member of the family
You truly were one of the kindest people we know you will be missed
A heart of gold , always helping others who were less fortunate . You’ll be missed my friend !
Rest in Peace
Donny inherited me as one of Kato’s ’ sisters, yet Donny made me feel I was chosen! His uncanny and intuitive ability to reach in and set the record straight, and do it in such a loving and kind manner, was his gift to humanity.
Condolences to Donny’s family, and close friends. I am so very thankful for my memories of Donny.
Sending love and prayers to Don – Heavy D as I knew him – and his family and friends from Nova Scotia. I was lucky to have met Don about 30 yrs ago at Universite Laval where we spent two semesters together mangling the beautiful French language. Though he was a little older than the rest of us Don totally fit in and was the spark and energy to our group the year I was there. Don was always so giving and ready to have fun from planning potlucks, birthday celebrations and pub crawls to helping someone move apartments or vent about a failed relationship. He had a couple of trips to the East Coast and was an honorary East Coaster. We also played a lot of hoops along the way. Wherever I go I bring a little bit of Don with me!
Greg McConnell
My dear friend Donny!
I am terribly saddened to hear about your passing! You were always a very caring and passionate person! You never forgot to wish Brad and myself a Merry Christmas or birthday wishes!! I know you shined in life and you lived life your way!! May you find some peace as you watch over us!!
I am going to miss your texts or a phone call to just his I was doing!!
Fly high my friend!
Love Shelley and Brad
To all of Don’s family,
I only had the privilege of knowing Don for a very short period of time while I lived in Winnipeg. I traveled halfway across the country to Nova Scotia but somehow his effervescent personality was able to reach me there. I treasure the memories and joy that he brought to my life I am deeply saddened by his passing.
One of the good ones! We didn’t always share the same opinion but Donny was kind and loving and wouldn’t let any of our differences get in the way of being a g decent and compassionate human by searching for common ground and remaining respectful and curious. He supported people, wrote his deepest musings brilliantly especially if he knew they could be helpful to others, and always had a smile for those he met.
Goodbye “Donny Voss”. You will be missed.
Always enjoyed any encounter with Don! Wonderful man and truly good soul!
He leaves the world a better place for having been here.
You will be missed but your effect will carry on !
Dear Donnie…who always put everyone else first from the day I met you that is just who you are I will miss your laugh it is just such a unique sound thank you so much for every birthday and mother’s day wish …you made us feel present even it we were not there. Thank you for allowing us to be part of you world
I also met Don, or ‘Heavy D’ as a few of us affectionately called him, at Laval University. We had a lot of fun times, with a little bit of studying and learning French thrown in for good measure. Don is front and center in a lot of my core memories: the anchor on our 2-time winning team in our faculty’s annual pub crawl through the streets of Old Quebec, the driver for our reading week trips from Quebec City to Halifax in his red machine (van) and teammate for intramural volleyball, just to name a few. Don truly was a good person with a big heart, who will be missed by many. I really thought we had more time. My condolences to the Vosters family.
Oh Don, what a crazy soul you were. So grateful to have known you, from stupid high school dating to friendship and support in later life, especially around the time of my mom’s death. Your generosity and desire for everyone to know joy were astounding and touched me directly when you delivered a bottle of wine to my house in the middle of the pandemic because I worked in a hospital. I can hardly believe you are gone. Thanks to your loving family for their beautiful tribute above and the support they showed you, especially in this last year. May peace, love and joy be yours eternally and may your memory ever be a blessing to those who loved you.
Donny, a big personality with an even bigger heart. How privileged were we to be in his circle; to have Christmas shooter visits, big bear hugs… coming in with a warm smile, intellectual, defender, role model on what is really important in life, dancing in the 80’s as a full on work out, checking in if he knew things were rocky with a ‘How you doing Lees?’ How can one be so strong and so vulnerable at the same time? A good man. The strongest hug from the kindest heart, will be my enduring memory.
Donnie, I am one of the many that was blessed to have you as a friend. You were always decent and kind to everyone. See you on the other side. You are so sadly missed.
My condolences to the family, and to anyone who had the honor and the privilege of knowing Donnie.
Go with God, bro ❤️
A one in a million friend, bartender and infielder. I met Don through working at The Keg restaurants and we had so much fun together. You will be so missed Don.