Chandlers' Funeral Service Ltd.

91 Union Street, P.O. Box 699
Liverpool, NS B0T 1K0
Phone: (902) 354-4242
Email: info@chandlersfuneral.com

Giffin; Donald Leigh

42 Condolences

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Don Giffin’s Memorial Service
Captain Donald Leigh Giffin, beloved husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, legend, awful Elvis impersonator, golfer, and all around great guy passed away on Valentine’s Day 2022.
Born April 26, 1948 in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, his childhood home was in Sable River where his maternal grandparents Claud and Lottie (Guest) Pierce and paternal grandparents Robie and Florence (Trefry) Giffin resided. Predeceased by mother Marjorie Iverna (Pierce), father Robie Churchill Giffin, brothers Pierce and Paul.
Survived by beloved wife of 52 year, Maureen Dorothea (Mitchell); lovingly remembered by daughter Lianne, son Christopher (Meaghan), sisters Linda (Paul) Swansburg, Mary (David) Oickle, Susan (Terry) Wolfe, grandchildren Chase and Georgia, and legions of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, fans and admirers.
Proud and decorated member of the Canadian Air Force from 1967 to 2002, Don excelled through the ranks of regular forces achieving Chief Warrant Officer. In 2000 he re-enlisted as officer, retiring as captain. He was the first Canadian Air Force Radar Technician to be invited to fly with the distinguished AWACS detachment at Tinker AFB in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Don was a veteran of both Desert Shield and Desert Storm for which he received commendations from the US Government. He also worked with NORAD and was an instructor for NATO out of Germany.
Don was a liaison for Air Cadets, coach of floor hockey, purveyor of ice cream cones, and instigator of mischief. He was an avid golfer who achieved not one but two holes-in-one, Habs fan through thick and thin, and avid tinkerer.
Memorial service to be held Friday, February 25, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in Chandlers’ Funeral Chapel, Liverpool. Burial will at a later date. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Nova Scotia SPCA.
All those attending Don’s service are asked to bring a mask, proof of vaccination, provide contact tracing information, hand sanitize and social distance wherever possible.
Live streaming will be available on the day of Don’s service at the above link.

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Condolence Messages

  1. Susan Verge

    I was sad to read this. Thinking of you and your family. Don was one of my favorite customers at the Superstore.. I loved to talk to him about his adventures.

  2. Michael & Donna Herman

    Our sincere sympathy to Maureen and family for your loss of Don . He will be missed by all of his golfing buddies .

  3. LaVerne Hawkins

    Dear Lianne and all the Family,
    I am shocked and saddened to read of your father’s passing. To you and your family please accept my sincere condolences and to your dad, Thank You sir for your service. Think of all the good memories you have of your dad to help you through the sadness. God bless.

    Regards,
    LaVerne Hawkins

  5. judi Mowat

    This Mitchell women is going to miss him, Mimi hugs to you all. So sad, too soon. Thinking of you all. Love you.

  7. Sheila Mills

    Linda,Paul and Families,My deepest condolences to you Linda on the loss of your dear brother,May your memories of him help you through your darkest days,Thinking of you,Big Hugs.

  9. Anne Marie Lewis

    Maureen and family. So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Hugs and prayers sent to you. May he Rest In Peace.

  10. Carroll Baker CM

    My heart goes out to the immediate family and all who loved Donald.
    Although I may not have known Donald on a personal basis, I know that we are related.
    Growing up I heard many wonderful stories about the Guest and Pierce families.
    I wish I had gotten to know everyone better.
    Donald was obviously a wonderful man who will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
    I do hope I get chance to meet everyone sometime.
    My mother was Ida “Iverna”Conrad Baker. Her mother was Lydia Mae Guest.
    May you all find comfort from one another and the through the grace of God.
    Sincere Condolences, Carroll Baker CM

  11. Ashley Mckinnon

    To dons family so shocking to be reading this, remember Don was a wonderful man who always had a smile where ever you seen him, he will be missed, Rip buddy

  14. Michelle Austin

    There are no words I can say that will take away the pain of losing your beloved father and husband, Lianne and Mimi, but just know that the Squad in Dallas are always here for you both. Let the tears flow, and may your sorrow be softened by the wonderful memories of Don. My heart and thoughts are with you both.

  16. Rick Pottie

    I first met Don when he showed up at the golf course one day and it didn’t long to realize that he was someone you wanted to be around, I found him to be kind, compassionate and a gentleman at all times with a killer sense of humour. Don was a skilled golfer and a favourite to play with because you were guaranteed to have a competitive game and many laughs. He was an easy man to love and I wish I had met him earlier. My condolences to the family and he will be missed by so many.

  17. Leo Campbell

    Very sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. He was a very nice person. I was fortunate to get to know him over the past few years on the golf course. He will be missed.
    My deepest condolences to his family at this very difficult time.

  19. Brian Ensey

    Don was always great to me and he loved his family. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him and time moves so fast as we get older. I wish I could have seen him before his passing. Don you were always so calm and relaxed. You seem to always know life is a journey, so just enjoy it. You are missed and thank you for being you.

  22. Warren and Karen

    Mary and Family. We were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a great man and will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time

  23. Cathy Langille

    Condolences to Don’s family.
    Always enjoyed working with Don, a real pleasure to know him.
    Cathy Langille, CNS

  24. Diane L Smith

    Maureen,

    So sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Know that there are so many thinking of you. Keep your memories of him close to your heart❤

    Take care,
    Diane Smith

  26. Shawn Ozon

    So sorry to read about Don’s passing. Sincere condolences to the entire family. He was a great guy to work and to talk with.

  27. Earle & Sharon Dodge

    Our sincere condolences to Maureen , Linda, Mary, Susan and all of the Giffin family You are in our thoughts and Prayers Earle & Sharon

  28. Alice Verge

    So sorry to read of Donnies passing. Hard to believe he was one of the little boys I babysit growing up in Sable River. Great to read and had a very rewarding career. He was a great guy and you will miss him dearly…

  29. Marcia Pierce Harding

    I am so very sad that my special cousin has passed away. I always respected and admired Donnie. My dad adored Donnie’s mother, Marjorie, who was Dad’s niece. Family ties were tight in the old days. I got to know Don’s lovely wife at the gym. Maureen and Don seemed a perfect match. Craig enjoyed playing golf with Don and held him in high regard. Donnie was truly an exceptional man.
    Sincere Condolences to Maureen and all the family.

  30. Darlene and Robie Murphy

    I cannot even put into words how very sorry we are to hear of Donnie’s passing. He was one of a kind friend,cousin and all around wonderful person. Many memories hold close to our hearts . He will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

  31. Brenda Dexter

    My condolence to Donnys family on your loss.
    Knew Donny in Sable River where he spend alot of times with my husband and our children ,may he rest in peace.

  32. Gale Deveau

    Maureen : Art and I were very sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing, please accept our sincere condolences to you and your family.

    Gale and Art Deveau

  34. Rose Anthony

    Maureen and Family

    So sorry for your loss. Please know my family and I are thinking of all of you at this difficult time. One day at a time and keep all your memories close to your heart.
    Sending a Big Hug!!

    Rose and Family

  35. Ruth Freeman

    So sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. My condolences to his family and friends. When my sister and I were young, Donnie was one of our regular babysitters, when Mom and Dad were out and about (usually with Churchill and Marjorie) To my six-year-old eyes, he was the most handsome fellow I had ever seen. I see that time did not diminish those good looks. He was great fun and very kind. His youngest brother Paul David was my best friend. Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time.

  36. carol richardson

    Deepest condolences to Susan, Mary Linda Mimi and families ,was sorry to read of Donnie”s passing, take comfort he is now free of pain also may the good memories get you all through this difficult time

  37. Annette Caldwell

    Maureen & Family
    Andrew and I are so sorry to hear of your families loss.
    We were lucky enough to have shared a few posting together over the years.
    Andrew and I had a lot of respect for Don as a boss and member of the Air Force.
    The last time we met was in Geilenkirchen, Germany Nato Base before coming back to Ottawa.
    May God bless your family through this difficult time.
    R.I.P Don your kindness and wit shall be missed.
    Tee time in heaven !!

  38. Bill & Darlene Dobson

    Our Deepest Condolences to the Family. Donnie was always talked about in the Greatest way by his Dad (Churchill) . It was like we were growing up under the same roof at times. He was Loved . We are all Very Sad for the Family and could not believe what we were reading. Thinking of all the Family at this Very Difficult time.
    Bill & Darlene Dobson

  40. Inez Giffin

    Dear Mimi and Family. I was so sad to hear of Donnie’s passing. Sending my Deepest
    Heartfelt Condolences. A Wonderful Man gone to soon.
    Inez

  41. Shawn Lahey

    Condolences to the Family. I only knew Don for a short period of time but I was glad to have him as part of my team at Commissionaires Nova Scotia. Always a very easy person to talk to and to have a laugh with. I last saw Don in person, on site at Rissers Beach after hurricane Dorian. He was very much the ‘calm after the storm’ and was keeping things running smoothly. You will be sincerely missed!

  42. Fred Giffin

    To family and friends of Don, my sincere condolences. A gentleman in every way, I will always have memories of our many golf games at Osprey Ridge when we were members there and also at White Point. An opportunity to get to know and appreciate this fine person.

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