Don Donesky was born to Jacob and Mary Donesky near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The youngest of eight children, his first six years were spent in California. Early in life, aged seven years, he felt that God was calling him to the ministry. When Don was fifteen years of age his father, Jacob, passed away. Don’s mother, Mary, was a very trusting, spiritual woman whose total faith in God carried them through.
Don’s father, Jacob, was an Engineer and had taught Don the practical skills that enabled him to run his own business – mechanical, welding and repair. Don repaired everything but “broken hearts and the break of day” – that was to come later – in the ministry.
World War II interrupted academic pursuits for several years. Don worked in a C.O. camp for three months in Banff – after which it was back to Penticton to remain with his business now classified as one of national importance.
Don attended Canadian Union College (CUC) as a theology major in 1945. He was elected Senior Class President of his class of ’52. It was at CUC that Don met his wife, Jean Finlayson. They were married in 1948 in Quill Lake, Saskatchewan. Four children were born of this union, Dwight, Donna, Finlay, and Grant.
In 1954, Don and Jean received a call to India to pioneer mission service in North East Manipur for five years. Dwight was three years and Donna was four months of age when the family travelled to India. Finlay was born a year later in India, and Grant arrived shortly after the family’s return to Canada.
The years of service and friendships formed have covered the globe – from the Canora-Yorkton Saskatchewan district (including Hudson Bay to the U.S. border), Regina, Saskatoon, India, Michigan and back to Canada (Toronto Kingsview Village Church), Thunder Bay, Bracebridge, Parry Sound, Orillia, and Midland.
The challenges and rewards of selfless service cannot be enumerated. Pastor Don Donesky was dearly loved by many. He worked long, hard hours and never turned away anyone who needed his attention. Don’s greatest joy was found in service to others. He loved his wife, Jean, and his four children with a deeper love than one can express. Don loved his five grandchildren and looked forward to time with them, as the constraints of distance and time would allow.
It will be said of him, “Well done thou good and faithful servant ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:21.