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Peacefully at Northumberland Hills Hospital in his 94th year. Beloved Husband of Marilyn Macklin (nee Chestnut). Dear brother of Audrey Ashdown. Loving father of Sandra, Kris, Robert, & Stephen. Grandfather of Todd, Andrew, & Jillian and Great Grandfather of Bridger, Kinston, and Cade.
Born in Cobourg, Don attended George Street Public School followed by Cobourg Collegiate Institute. In his early years Don was involved in the Cobourg Kiltie Band playing the Cornet. Don frequented the Northumberland Ski Club as a Ski Patrol where he first met his soon to be wife Marilyn.
Don shared a wonderful marriage of 65 years with his life-long love Marly residing always in Cobourg. Don and Marilyn first lived at a house at the top of Ball St before moving to Maplewood Blvd where they lived for 50 years.
Don started his working life managing a Shell Gas station near the 5 corners at William and King. From there he joined his father Percy Macklin in operating Macklin Motors on King St W later moving to 2nd St beside the Town hall. In later years he worked at Calnan, Thomas, and Ingram Motors. Don's favourite career of all was as the Manager of the Cobourg Marina in the 1990’s. He was known around Lake Ontario for running a first-rate operation.
After retiring, Don could be found walking all over Cobourg with his Westie dog who he cherished.
Don was a founder of Scouting at 6th Trinity in Cobourg where he was both a leader and served on the Group Committee for over 40 years. Don embraced his Christian faith and enjoyed a life-long connection to Trinity United Church.
Don was a charter member and past President of the Cobourg Lions Club where he served the community for 70 years. He was a 2-time recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He valued and did all he could for the community of Cobourg which he loved.
Don was a founder, past Commodore, and Honorary Life member of the Cobourg Yacht Club. He developed a love for sailing which he shared with his family and many new friends.
A private family service will be held with interment at Cobourg Union Cemetery at a later date.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Palisade Gardens who helped make a wonderful home for both mom and dad in the last couple of years.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Don could please do so to Northumberland Hills Hospital, Lions and Lioness Cancer and Supportive Care Clinic or to the Trinity United Church - Scholastic Trust.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Offering my condolences to the Macklin family. Don was always present in my life as he and Marilyn were close friends of our parents Ron and Kay. I have many fond memories of Don over the decades from numerous ski trips, years of working together at 6th Cobourg Scouts (Don and my grandfather Gilbert Wicks were founding members in 1949), and years at the Cobourg Yacht Club, mostly racing unsuccessfully against Don and Steven. Don was a character in the best meaning of the word, quick witted, and always fun to be around. He will be missed.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Macklin family. Don never forgot a name..he always stopped in my office to tell me stories about my grandfather..I just loved hearing them. Rest in Peace.
Dear Sandra, Kris, Robert and Stephen, The Wicks family is so saddened by the loss of your father, Don. Your parents and ours were such wonderful friends over many, many years. Your Dad frequently called our Mom, Kay, and they even spoke about a week before Don's passing. She knew he was saying goodbye, and at that time we had no idea, she would follow him only a short week later. We share many of the same memories, and know that both your parents have a place in our hearts as well.
To the Macklin Family, We have known your Dad for many years. He was such a friendly guy who always spoke when we saw him. My Dad and him were lifelong friends and he will be dearly missed. May you find comfort knowing he is at peace with your Mom. Jim & Julie Darling (nee Nairn)
Kim and I were saddened to hear of your loss. I know in my own case the loss of my dad was the worst thing to ever happen in my life. It took me some time to come to grips with that, but I do believe it is true that time is a great healer. I take comfort in thinking that someone who has lived a good, long life such as your father, is now choosing to move on to his next great adventure (in a brand spanking new body of course!). And in his case I'm confident he will be on the high seas again!
To the Macklin Family, We were all very saddened to hear about Dons' passing. We always looked forward to his visits and his great stories and sense of humour. May your shared memories help to lessen your saddness. Sincerest Condolences. Cristol, Mark, Peter and Debbie The We-fix-u Chiropody Team
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church - Scholastic Trust
Dear Kris, Stephen, Sandra and families; Just wanted to extend our deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dad and Grandfather. John and I always enjoyed talking with Donnie over the years whether it was when we ran into him around the town or in the later years at Palisades...he was a good friend to my Dad (Jim Nairn) through their association at Ingram Motors, the Lion's Club or having coffee with him, Larry and Jeff until before Covid hit. He humor and wit will be dearly missed. Take Care...
My special remembrance of Don is that of abiding honor and integrity. One time when I was a young family man I called Don and said "Don i need a new used car -- please send over the car i should have at the right price." I never gave a second thought about the car he chose as it came with his personal care and integrity. Don always gave more than he received. Rodger Cooper
To the Macklin Family. We were so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I have fond memories of Don showing up in our driveway every year with a shiny new car - always a convertible for me - which Dad never bought. But Dad bought all his cars from your Dad. He was such a fun person, always a smile and positive thoughts for everyone, and an energetic contributor to our community. Our condolences to all. Rest In Peace Don.
Sorry about your loss. Leaves a big hole in everyone's heart,especially to close family and friends. 1 thess.4:13-18. The McKendrick family
I worked with both Don & Marilyn at Palisade Gardens, and both of their personalities were just infectious :) just a lovely couple, always in such good moods and always smiling / laughing!! my condolences to the family, they both were such joys to be around❤️
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
NHH - Lions & Lioness Cancer & Supportive Care Clinic
My condolences to the Macklin family. He was a very good friend and I will miss him and our coffee times together.
Our sincere condolences to the Macklin family. Don was a very good friend to our father Geoff and he will be greatly missed.
We are saddened to hear of Donny's passing but recognize that he led a full, long and happy life. We first met him at the Cobourg Yacht Club and became two of the "many new friends' he welcomed there. He could be counted on for help when needed, a good story and a wobbly pop after a day of sailing. He will be missed.
A memorial donation has been made to Northumberland Hills Hospital.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
r.i.p. don I"ll will alway remember your smile and kind words for many and your helpful ways setting up tables for a weddings or two, or any thing else that may have been happen.. on any giving time. OF this all happen at the lion center.
r.i.p. don I"ll will alway remember your smile and kind words for many and your helpful ways setting up tables for a weddings or two, or any thing else that may have been happen.. on any giving time.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
We just wanted to let you know how sorry we are to hear if Don's passing. He and Marilyn had been good friends for years and will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts go out to you all at this time with hugs from the west coast. Christine, Frank and Patricia
Sending our condolences, sorry for your loss
We were saddened to learn of your loss. We have known Don for many years and always enjoyed with meeting him and a conversation, he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
We have spent many years with Don & will miss him dearly
I first met don watching the cobourg kiltie band when I was 14 yrs old and he was 16. We have been friends ever since and have shared many holidays in England, Canada and Europe with just our spouses, Marilyn, Lewis and Gordon. Don was always such good fun, I shall never stop loving him. From Cynthia.
Our sincere condolences to the Macklin families. Don loved Cobourg and Cobourg loved Don. Don was always smiling and telling fun stories. We were neighbours for 40 plus years. He told us he stood on our front steps and asked the builder to build him a house on Maplewood just like ours; and they did. Great guy.
Our sincere sympathy to each of you for the loss of a wonderful man. Don was such a presence at our club that he will never be forgotten. We will be preparing a special plaque in his honour and ask you to send us a contact number, so we can invite you to see it.
Dear Sandra, Kris and Stephen. We were saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing. We were neighbours for almost 50 years (Merrett’s) and had the pleasure of sharing lots of time and many stories with your family. When your Dad saw us with our miata he immediately arrived at our door with a miniature little red convertible relating how much he had enjoyed his miata. This little red car sits on our desk and will be a great reminder of a very special man. Thinking of you and your families at this sad time. Hugs, Barb and George
My condolences to the Macklin family. As a member of the Cobourg Lions Club, Don inspired us all to always give back to our community. Rest In Peace Lion Don Lion Michael
To the Macklin Family: Truly sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was always a great friend of my dad Gord Sherwin and was especially kind to dad during his declining years. May you hold many fine memories of Don in your hearts. Respectfully Jay Sherwin
Wayne and I are saddened to hear of Don’s passing. We have many wonderful memories of times spent with Don and Marilyn at the Yacht Club and at the Marina. Don always greeted me with “hello cousin!” and then laugh (Marilyn and I were cousins). He led a life well lived and is now reunited with his beloved Marly. Rest In Peace Don.
Don was a friend of my father Roy D. Dodge and sold him cars. Don was my sister Marie Jones age and would call to me wherever we were "How is the Mayors Daughter" and people would wonder how I could be the current mayor daughter when I was the same age as the current mayor. Good friend to many and willing to help as many as he could. Rest Don as your service to Cobourg is well respected. Donna and Donald Robins
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
Kris, sorry to hear of the passing of your dad. I enjoyed working for your dad at Macklin Motors. Always smiling and caring on. Loved his boating. A great guy. My condolences to you and the family. Paul
Lori and I send our heartfelt condolences to Don’s family and know that his memory will be a source of comfort in the days and months ahead. I used to drop in to see him when I visited Palisades and we always had a good talk about cars, boats and scouting. Loved his stories! One of his greatest wishes around this time of the year was to be able to attend the Christmas Eve service at Trinity United Church. He made many contributions to community life in Cobourg and will be truly missed. Bill Wensley
To lion Don's family I would just like to say that I am sorry for the lose of your Dad. He was a great friend to me and a very carrying member of the Cobourg Lions Club. Rest in peace Lion Don as the Lord will be by your side at all times to help along the way. God bless
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Trinity United Church - Scholastic Trust
To me, he represented the best of "old" Cobourg, and, as a senior fellow of the Cobourg Yacht Club, Don always tried to steer me right. He took pride in things close to him. A long life, well-lived. May the guiding light lead him home.
To the Macklin Family; The Cable and Macklin Families were great friends over the years through their relationship at Trinity United Church and the scouting movement. Don was so respected for his hard work in the community at many levels. He had a very full satisfying life that you will have many memories of to help you through these difficult days. Thinking of you all, Linda Cable Marr
So very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My condolences to all the family especially Marilyn and Audrey
Kris and Dianne, Don certainly will be remembered by so many in this community - he was like Mr Cobourg! Always busy meeting and greeting and spreading sunshine. He and Marilyn were such a dynamic team and will be missed by all who knew them. You and your family are in my thoughts... Lynda
Donation made to Northumberland Hills Hospital, Lions & Lioness Cancer & Supportive Care Clinic. Claudette Cowin 201 Ontario St. #2 Cobourg K9A 3B7
To our dear cousins we send our sympathies. Cobourg has lost a good man! We are thinking of you all and sending our love and virtual big hugs xoxo Aunt Lyn and Uncle Don are together with our folks, Bill and Carol. There will be quite a party in heaven!
Dear Sandra, Kris, & Steve, I am so sorry for your loss of your dad. We go back a long way, as you know - next door neighbours for 42 years... and never needing a fence that's for sure. But even before that , as young guys, Bill and Don had played side by side in the Cobourg Kilty Band. Little did they know then that they would later become long time neighbours. He sold us a few cars during his years at Ingram Motors. He was always so quick to laugh, and tell some of his favourite jokes. He was never without a beloved Westie at his heels, all the years that we knew him. He trained them so well. He loved his job at the Marina and did it so conscientiously. Sailing was a big part of his life....( as was his Miata later on in his retirement!). He had such great pride for Cobourg, and was always quick to volunteer on countless projects, both as a member of the Lions Club, but also individually to help improve the town in so many ways. He liked to be of help. His garage was always full of items that he was storing for some group , or another, in order to raise money for some charity in need. He loved being a kettle Santa for the Salvation Army every year at Christmas, and knew everyone by name. But most of all he loved, and was always so concerned about his dear Marilyn. Together, they so enjoyed their cottage for many years. So many good memories over the years, of a good man , and a great neighbour. I hope that you will all be able to recall many cherished memories to help you through this difficult period of grief. Be content to know that ' he's back with his Marly ' . Sincere condolences, and a big virtual hug to you all. Claudette
Your Dad is at peace with His Lord and reunited with His beloved Marilyn as promised. In life he was a well respected and known in Cobourg and in our church community for his friendliness, his sense of humour and his volunteer spirit. I will miss our talks as his Trinity Pastoral Care visitor but know that he is truly experiencing God’s love.
Kris and Family So sorry to hear about your dad. What a wonderful man he was always smiling and always said hello when we met I’m sure he will be truly missed Jane and Wayne
My condolences to the Macklin family. Don and Marilyn lived 2 houses down from my mom and dad. Great neighbours always welcoming. I will certainly miss Don’s smile. RIP Don you will be missed.
My condolences to the Macklin family. Don and Marilyn lived 2 houses down from my mom and dad. Great neighbours always welcoming. I will certainly miss Don’s smile. RIP Don you will be missed.
Fair winds dear friend. We will all miss you for you good humour and willingness to help others.
I liked this good man so very much. Always fond of a middle name, I called him Percy, and he seemed to like it. I didn't know it was his father's name until just now. Something about that warms my heart. My Percy was funny and kind and always happy to share a laugh or a wink....or a bag of Hickory Chips. He had a great sense of humour - matched only by his knowledge of, and passion for, this town. Cobourg had no greater champion in my eyes. He taught me a lot about Cobourg... he even gave me a small town flag and pin Proud indeed. How wonderful is that. No question, I will miss my Percy...I will miss Don Macklin...but I am happy for his peace now....back with Marly....peace and love for sure, forever. Condolences to Don's family. Respectfully, Inga Belge, Receptionist at Palisade Gardens.
Dear Sandra, Kris and Stephen - I am so sorry to read of your Dad's passing. He was a wonderful contributor to the great lifestyle that so many of us in Cobourg have enjoyed most of our lives. He was always helping others in some capacity, be it with the purchase of a new vehicle, during his hours at Lions events, at Trinity Church or at the Cobourg Yacht Club. Don will surely be missed. With deepest sympathy, Carol Currelly-Burnham
Kris , Dianne ,Todd and family. Our deepest sympathies on your lose.
It is with a very heavy heart that I send my condolences to Mrs. Macklin and her family on Mr. Macklin’s passing. I have many fond memories of working for Don at the Marina when I was a teenager. He taught me many life lessons and has given me many memories that always end in laughter. I will miss having you in Cobourg but know that you are in a better place, hopefully enjoying the sun. RIP Don you will be missed dearly.
RIP Don ; I will miss seeing you around Victoria Hall as your smile your face brought joy to my heart as you were a dear friend of Dad’s and never forgot him and made my day when you walk in and ask for the little Savage girl as you know I told you many times your the splitten image of my father who I lost way to early.. From your days at Lions Centre to Ingram Motors selling me my first car to keeping me company the last several years with your visits I will miss you.. if we get a snow storm soon I know your with your fellow Lions Members having a blast!! Bring on the snow I think of you!!! The little Savage Girl!!
Don was a distant cousin and life long friend of my parents Gordon and Grace Carruthers. His children were closer in age to my older siblings. Don was always a warm greeter, lover of Cobourg and enjoyed a good laugh. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
so very sad to hear of this OBIT., he was a great man,, my condolence to his family..
So sorry to hear of Don ‘s passing & loss to his passing, Susan worked with his wife Marilyn & keeps in ltouch with his daughter Sandra in Mexico. They had a wonderful family & we send them our sympathy & condenses.Marilyn & Don will be together once again. Lovingly Susan & Allan ❤️?
To the Family, Please accept my sincere condolence. Don will be missed by many. Bob
A wonderful and caring man has gone to Heaven. Rest In Peace Don.