Obituary of Donald Trilesky

DONALD TRILESKY (a.k.a. DOWNRIGGER DON) We would like to report that Don Trilesky lost his life battling a 35-lb. Trout in the waters of Lake Temagami. However, the truth is that Don passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 2, 2017 at Bethell Hospice in Inglewood at the age of 73. Don was predeceased by his parents, the late Lillian Rose Trilesky (Ayris) and Bruce Trilesky of Elora. He will be sadly missed by his high-school sweetheart, Helen (Mitchelmore), whom he married in 1965, his loving son Kenneth and his special daughter Linda (Doyle). His grand-daughters, Sarah and Allison Trilesky, will also miss their fantastic grand-dad. He was an avid supporter of their athletic endeavours, especially hockey and lacrosse since he believed they inherited their athletic prowess from him. Don will also be missed by his sisters, Judy Longstreet (late Royce Weston), Margaret O’Connnor (Frank), sister-in-law Barbara Ferris (Mitchelmore) , nephew Frank Ferris and many other relatives and friends. Downrigger Don was a quiet, unassuming man who enjoyed growing up in the village of Elora. He was an ardent hockey and lacrosse player and was on the Elora Bantam Provincial Championship winning Lacrosse Team in 1957. He earned a Queen Scout designation in his teens and became an ambulance attendant at the Fergus Hospital in 1969. For the next thirty years he worked for Royal City Ambulance providing emergency services to citizens of Guelph, Fergus and many towns and villages throughout Wellington County. Following his retirement he continued to help individuals and families through his part-time work at a funeral home and drug store in Fergus . He was a member of the Fergus Optimist Club for many years. Up until his death he was a devoted and active member of the Fergus Lions Club and recipient of the Bruce Murray International Youth Camp Fellowship award and Melvin Jones Fellowship award. In his spare time, Downrigger Don fished local rivers and lakes and looked forward every year to going to Lake Temagami during the first week of lake trout season with his son and close friends. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Don would agree that he favoured honest, simple pleasures. In keeping with his wishes, the family is inviting friends and colleagues to come together on Saturday, August 19, from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Orangeville Seniors Centre, 26 Bythia Street to share stories and memories. Fishing apparel, hip waders, and uniforms etc. are encouraged. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to The Friends of Temagami or Bethell Hospice, in memory of Don. Please Note: Due to construction BYTHIA ST is closed, the new entrance to the Seniors Centre can be found at 9 CENTRE ST. Please call 519-415-4687 for immediate help finding the building. Online condolences and donations may be made at www.imfunerals.com. Arrangements entrusted to In Memoriam Funeral Services Inc.