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DAVISON, Charles Donald (630)

Parents

Birth

  • Born on November 07, 1908 in Bridgewater, Lunenburg Co., NS

Death

  • Died on April 26, 2005 in Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, NS
  • Buried in Brookside Cemetery in Bridgewater, Lunenburg Co., NS

Marriages

Children

Notes

  • Occupation: Architect
  • Obituary: Halifax Herald 4/30/2005 DAVISON, Charles Donald - Born in Bridgewater on November 7, 1908, died peacefully on April 26, 2005, in the Centennial Building of the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, of old age. Don lived life with an enthusiasm that was tempered with the practical, if a road block was thrown in his way, he accepted it and found a way around it, always with humour and good will. He was the second of three children born to Lena Jane (Benjamin) and Archie Foster Davison. His formal education started in Bridgewater and was followed by two years at King's College School in Windsor from 1926-1928, where he enjoyed editing the school paper and eventually received the Governor General's Award. He went on to study architecture at McGill University, sampling the delights of the city, graduating in 1933. After graduation, with very little opportunity for work in his chosen profession in Canada, he decided to try his luck in England. He started with Howard Crane and later joined the firm of Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners in London, working on industrial projects in England and Europe, even managing to relocate a factory from Czechoslovakia to the United Kingdom just before the outbreak of the war. As the war engulfed the world, he became involved in the construction of many facilities for the war effort including underground armament factories, underground warehouses for the British Museum as well as volunteering his services to the Home Guard. During this time he met his first wife, Joan Beauchamp Wadmore, and was married at Swynnerton, Bedfordshire in 1940. England in the post war years, under Attlee's labour government, was still suffering shortages of everything, so in 1947 Don decided to return to Nova Scotia and with the help of Paul Davis, opened an architectural office in Halifax. Gradually the firm grew and completed many commissions throughout the province. Don was active with the Nova Scotia Association of Architects, serving in many roles including president, and was honoured with a Life Achievement Award for long-term contribution to the profession in 1994. In recognition of his work he was made a fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and the Royal Institute of British Architects. After Joan's death, he started a new life in 1956 when he married Jacqueline Jane Deed in Halifax. They built a new house and family together, and enjoyed many happy days boating, traveling and relaxing at their cottage. Despite Jackie's propensity for seasickness, they even managed to sample the delights of cruising, touring the Caribbean on several occasions. Don, however, was not one to retire and continued to go to the office until his legs gave out in 1997. Don is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; children, Hugh (Tish), Halifax; Linda Landymore (Graham), Windsor; Jane Conrad (Bob), Halifax; Mark (Lisa), Sydney, Australia; Sara (Paul), Halifax; sister, Catherine Leavitt; grandchildren, Janet, Andrew, Jane Vallee (Chris), Dudley, Meggie, Olivia, Poppy, and great-grandson, Nicholas. He was predeceased by his brother, Henry; first wife, Joan. Visitation in Cruikshank's Halifax Funeral Home, 2032 Robie St., Halifax, on Sunday, May 1, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Celebration of his life will be held at a later date for family only. Donations in Don's memory may be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses or QEII Foundation.

Sources

  • Halifax Chronicle Herald: Obituary April 30,2005

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