Obituary of Donald Bruce Raven

Donald Bruce Raven, (December 8, 1934 - November 7, 2019) son of the late Ernest and Margaret (Bell) Raven of Montreal. Husband of the late Lea Raven (Stevens). Survived by his children Meg (John Brazner) and Paul (Keiko Fukuda), grandson Sascha, nieces and nephews.

Don was born and schooled in Montreal, and developed a love of the outdoors through his adventures in the Laurentians.  He studied Accounting at McGill University and went on to intern at McDonald, Currie & Co. Chartered Accountants. His accounting career began in the liquor industry in Montreal in the late 1950s, and continued in retail/wholesale distribution in the 1970s in NS and NB.  In the 1980s, Don turned his accountant’s hand to the insurance and real estate industry in Nova Scotia.

Don moved with his family to the Annapolis Valley in 1970.  They spent four memorable years in Kentville before relocating with his company to Moncton.  Always anxious to return to the valley, Don and Lea moved back to Weston (near Aylesford) in 1983, where they had a small farm property that became one of their greatest joys. Don and Lea cherished life together on their rural property in the valley, and it was truly, a heaven on Earth for them to live in such a beautiful place with so many wonderful people for friends and neighbours.

Don was characterized by his love for the farm life and the many, many projects he took on, from building gardens for Lea, to woodworking projects both small and large. Pets were always an important part of his life, as were reading, music and friendships.  He loved entertaining and socializing with guests and he was always witty and engaging on a personal level.  He had a love of good food (especially desserts), and he was a bon vivant whose joie de vivre was very much in evidence during meals and get-togethers of any kind.

Don loved planning projects and working through to their completion.  He was meticulous with record-keeping and dates and he was a repository of knowledge of family history and relations. His greatest day to day joys were often simply feeding his pets, putting wood on the fire and sitting back with a newspaper or book with the radio on in the background, knowing someone would be along shortly to knock at the door, seeking out his company and his help or advice with something. He was a steadfast friend to many and his decency and sincerity set him apart.

While impossible to acknowledge all the important people in his life he thought of Tammy Armstrong as a second daughter, and Judith Camps was a very special cousin; Mike and Shelley Nesbitt, Alan and Sheila Jamieson, Tom Calkin, Bruce and Lee Morris were like extended family. Paul Spencer was his loyal friend and second pair of hands later in Don’s life.  His special friend Nancy Silver brought him much happiness over the last two years.

In accordance with Don’s wishes there will be no funeral, but a Memorial Service is planned for Friday, November 22, 2019, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Valley Regional Hospital or your local SPCA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Berwick Funeral Chapel, 192 Commercial Street, Berwick, NS, B0P 1E0 (902-538-9900).