East Bay
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and husband, Donald Vincent Fewer, Age 83, on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Sydney after a nine-year battle with cancer.
Born on Dec 25, 1937, Donnie was the son of the late Edward and Eliza Fewer of Whitney Pier.
Donnie was a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University holding the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Education. Upon graduation from St. F.X., Donnie was employed by the city of Sydney as a teacher. During this time, he held several positions of leadership within the teacher’s union including President of the Sydney Local, NSTU. He was also the first elected member of the Sydney School Board where he served as chairman.
Donnie joined Xavier Junior College as Registrar and was later named the first Dean of Student Services at the University College of Cape Breton. He was instrumental in the creation of several university governance policies and the building of the inaugural on-campus student residences. His leadership as part of the university executive team helped shape CBU into the university it is today. He retired from the University in 1994.
Donnie was a proud ‘Pier Boy’ who loved living out his retirement with his ‘Town Girl’, Leona, in East Bay. He was a man of deep faith and was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish in East Bay.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Leona; children, Kevin, Karen (Alan) Patterson, Elaine (Mike) Melanek and Paul (Jill). He was immensely proud and will be forever missed by his six grandchildren, Sean, Laura, Samantha, Melissa, Scott and Nicholas. Donnie is also survived by his sister, Eileen (Cook); her daughter, Margie Alteen; brother, Murray; sister-in-law, Janet (John) McCarthy and brother-in-law, Donnie (Judy) Abbass.
In addition to his parents Donnie was predeceased by siblings, Winnifred, Margaret and Bill; in-laws, John and Josie Abbass and daughter-in-law, Susan.
Due to COVID restrictions there will be no visitation for the late Donald Fewer. A private family Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, East Bay with Fr. Anthony O’Connor officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
Special thanks to Dr. Greg Myatt and Janice for their many years of care and support of Donnie in his time of need.
Donations in memory of Donnie may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Movember Foundation or Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Our condolences to the family.
From: John Shannon
It was with sadness that I read this morning that Mr. Fewer passed away. In the field of education it is always our hope that we leave something of value behind. 43 years ago when Mr. Fewer was the Saint Francis Xavier University Registrar at Sydney campus, the support and encouragement he provided to me changed the course of my life. Being the first in my family to attend university, I was hesitant in making such a decision—fear of not succeeding. Without an appointment, I dropped by the campus and asked to talk to someone about my desire to attend university. I wanted to be a teacher. Mr. Fewer took the time to meet with me and together we set some academic goals for the last semester of my grade 12 year. He encouraged me to follow my dreams. In June when I met my academic goals, I returned to the campus to share my accomplishment and right there and then he verbally excepted my application for entrance to university. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. Now, many years later I continue to set and achieve goals, both as a teacher and as a lifelong learner. His work lives on.
From: Sharon (Darroch) Morrison
Fewer Family
So sorry to read of Donald passing my Prayers & thoughts are with you may God Bless you all
From: Ada Hagen
I am very sorry to read of Donnie’s death. He was registrar when I started at Xavier College and then a parishioner when I was in St. Theresa Parish. Then also a “summer” connection through Ben Eoin and Big Pond. In all of these he was an extremely fine and good person. My prayers and support are with you!
From: Fr. Tom MacNeil
So sad to hear….My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad time.
From: Kay Vieara
Sad to hear of Donnie’s passing. He was a true gentleman and a competent university administrator. He had numerous and valuable skills in committee and displayed great honesty representing the university. Students thought highly of his advice. I enjoyed our many conversations and interactions over coffee. Deep condolences to his family and his wife Leona. Jim Guy
From: James Guy
Leona , please accept my heart felt condolence on the passing of your beloved Donnie , I had the great pleasure of knowing Mr. Fewer as my teacher at Sheriff Jr. High and then later as my professor at Xavier Jr. College and later again as Donnie a friend in East Bay. I know that he will be sorely missed as a family member as well as a community member.
From: Bob Cox
Leona and Family,
We were saddened to read of Donnie’s passing. He was a fine person who touched a lot of lives. Our condolences on your loss.
From: Chuck & Pat Drohan
Our sincere condolences to Leona, the children and grandchildren. Donnie was a great neighbor and friend and will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace.
From: Lawrence & Marilyn O’Callaghan
Leona & Family: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I worked with Donnie at the University.
From: Mary Neville
Leona and family. Sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
From: Sandy and Agnes Scott
I’m so sorry to learn of Don’s passing. I knew and worked with him for many years going back to the 1960s and he was not only a lovely guy but an essential figure in the then small administrative staff. He was also a wise advisor who made a very significant contribution to the evolution and management of CBU. I enjoyed many discussions with him and greatly appreciated his friendship.
From: Brian Tennyson
My deepest sympathy to my aunt and nieces and nephew.
Uncle Donnie was a great man and very well respected
He will not be forgotten
So Donnie Rest In Peace
From: Edward Fewer
To the Fewer family my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Donnie was a true gentlemen and a great person. I haven’t seen him in years but remember dealing with your parents at the grocery store many years ago.
From: Carron Coleman
Sending my sincerest condolences to Donnie’s family. I worked with him for seven years in his role here at CBU as the Dean of Student Services and Executive Director, Human Resources. I will always remember him fondly as a true gentleman.
From: Anita Morrison
Dear Leona and family, We continue to hold you all in our hearts, our thoughts and prayers as you journey forward. Donnie was such a kind gentleman and a blessing to so very many people throughout his lifetime. His presence is and will continue to be missed among us, especially here in East Bay. His loving spirit will remain with you always, though heaven has welcomed him to his eternal home. May he Rest In Peace! Love, hugs and prayers.
From: Viola and Ivan Doncaster
To Karen and your family, my condolences on the loss of your father. Although I did not know your father, I often saw him and your mother at Mass in East Bay. May your memories bring you solace.
God Bless
From: Allan and Theresa (MacInnis) Morley
Dear Judy, Donnie, Leona and family,
Kindly accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your beloved brother, brother-in-law , husband and father/grandfather, Donnie. Donnie was a great mentor as registrar at “little X” and always a true gentleman. His love and adoration for his family was greatly admired . Sending hugs -Lynda MacDonald-Ben Eoin
From: Lynda MacDonald
My deepest condolences Leona to you and the family.
My prayers are with you and the family.
Your cousin Regina Hanna Sorhaitz
Please accept my sincerest condolences Leona on the loss of your husband Donnie.
I know you will be deeply comforted over the next weeks and months to come by your family and closest friends 🙏
Dear Leona, Kevin, Karen, Elaine, and Paul. My deepest condolences at this time of loss. Donnie was such a nice man who made tremendous contributions to our college community and the growth of UCCB/CBU. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Sincerely, Paul Wiseman.
Elaine – So sorry about your Dad. Cherish the memories. Sharon o’Keefe Boutilier
Leona and family…..May we echo Paul,s comments and offer our condolences. Marg and Bill enjoyed so many happy occasions with the Fewer’s. Don was an excellent administrator and a champion for students. God bless you all.
Leona, Kevin, Elaine, Karen and Paul; our deepest condolences on your great loss. We wish you peace and fond memories of your husband/father. Bill, Donna (Susan’s sister), Sheldon, Sandra, Jeanie, Jenny and Mike, Patrick and Lindsay, Nadia and Kelly.
Dear Leona, Kevin and Family
I read with sadness the news of Donnie’s death. I offer you my sympathies and condolences, care and concern, friendship and prayer. I worked with Donnie while I was chaplain at UCCB and always had a good relationship with him. He was always willing to discuss student issues . I felt he listened well. It was always a delight to see him after he retired. May he rest in peace and may the Lord bless you all with an assurance of hope.
Fraternally
Fr. Bedford Doucette
Leona, Paul, Jill and all of the Donnie’s family, Linda and I are so sorry for your loss. He will truly be missed. Another Pier boy (Matilda St.) has passed on. Love and prayers.
All we can offer in these difficult times is our love and prayers your reward for a life well spent is all your outstanding memories and the knowledge that Donnie is now at peace with our loving Father. God bless you and your family.
Leona and Family, so sorry for your loss, please know that our sincere sympathies are with you at this difficult time. Brenda & Keats Biron.
Elaine and family, my sincere condolences. Sorry for your loss.
Chris March
Donnie was a fantastic uncle and helped me out numerous times in summer jobs and full time also. His legacy is one that all his family should be proud of.
Leona,Kevin,Karen,Elaine & Paul…
We are sooo saddened hearing the news of Donnie’s passing..
We have such fond memories of happy times in East Bay.
Always so kind to us whenever we were “home”…giving us a car to use,having dinners..etc…So much hospitality shown to us & our family at all times..
You will be missed Donnie….RIP🙏🏻🙏🏻
Condolences to all..Frankie & Evelyn Ferguson.& Family .Orangeville,Ont.
Leona and family,
Our deepest condolences to you all at this very sad time. We will always remember the kindness that was shown to us when we became summer residents of the Blarney Road. Your immaculate property was quite the attraction for our young children and their bikes, scooters and muddy rubber boots. They were always received with such a warm welcome by the neighbours and have very fond memories of those days. We will remember Donnie as a gentleman who left a significant mark on our community during his very full life. We send love and prayers to you all.
Peter, Janis, Abbey and Julia
Leona and Fewer Families; please accept our sincere sympathy on Donnie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you All as you deal with your loss. God Bless. May he Rest In Peace. Roddie and Judy
Leona,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on Mr. Fewer’s (as I called him in Grade 9) passing.
Donnie was a great teacher and wonderful man. He will be missed I am sure.
Condolences to the family. Donald was an important contributor to the CBU community.
Kevin & Family, sorry to hear of the passing of a husband and father, you are in my thoughts and prayers
Condolences to Leona, Elaine, Karen, Kevin, and Paul. We were so sad to hear of Donnie’s passing. He was a great guy and a great colleague at CBU. He is now at peace. We are keeping you in our prayers during this difficult time.
To all family and friends of Donnie:
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Donnie was a well respected gentleman, and a kind and loving person.
His battle is over but he leaves behind many good memories that you can cherish.
Sincerely,
Donald Mac Leod
Homeville
Leona. So sorry to read of the passing of Donnie. He was a gentleman in every since and a great teacher. I enjoyed knowing him is both as a teacher and as time went on as a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Leona, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. Donnie was a sweet, sweet man and will be dearly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Leona, and family; so sorry to read about your loss. Sending our condolences, and prayers, at the difficult time.
Sander and Bernadette (Bisson) Taylor
Leona, Kevin, Karen, Elaine and Paul. Our sincere condolences to you all, thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dave and Marilyn Mac Pherson
Leona & Family:
I was saddened to read, in the paper today, of Donnie’s passing. I have many fond memories of working with him in the Registrar’s Office at CBU. He was a man of great integrity and used his leadership skills to promote and enhance the University at every opportunity. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you all, as you navigate the difficult days and months ahead. RIP Donnie. 🙏 – Nancy MacNeil
Sorry to hear that Donnie had died. My condolences to ypu Laona and your family.
I offer my sympathy & condolences to Leona & the family on the death of a good man. I had the privilege to work at CBU when Donnie was Registrar; he was always very accessible & pleasant to speak with, professionally & otherwise.
Wayne Connors
Leona and family, we are sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Donald made an important contribution to CBU during his time as registrar, and I personally found him a supportive colleague. I hope his family will be consoled by the thought that Donnie lived a good life.
Richard Keshen
Dear Karen , Leona and Fewer family, so sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. My memories go to your home on Atlantic St and of course the “bungalow “ in East Bay. May your memories be a source of strength and peace in this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Sincerely, Lisa (Siller) Lambe
Leona & Family,
Having known Donnie for so many years, I am deeply saddened by his passing. Needless to say, he was well prepared to meet his Eternal Master after a life of worthy contribution to the fields of education and administration. Sincere sympathies to you, Leona, and the entire family.
Bernard LeVert
To Paul ,Karen and Family,very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing . Was a student of Donnie’s at Sydney Academy back in the 60’s Golfed with PAUL OVER THE LAST 18 years or so and just met Karen 7 days ago ! Very nice Family ! May he Rest In Peace !
Our condolences to you, Leona, and family, on Don, s passing. Don was a friend and colleague at University College of Cape Breton. He was a man of integrity who .worked hard to make the University a better place. May he rest in peace.
John and Sheila Coleman
Our sincere sympathy, Leona and family on Donnie’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Karen and Ed MacMaster
Dear Leona and family , as part of the blarney road community ,for the past few years, we have come to enjoy relating with all our neighbors and this special community . You and Donnie have been a big part of building our love for this awesome place, Donnie will be deeply missed as a huge part of it all. Please accept our sincere condolences to you and family , God bless. You are in our prayers.
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Dean Fewer. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. When I attended UCCB/CBU, and especially the year I served as Vice President of the Student’s Union, I had the great privilege of interacting with the Dean Fewer. He was a great supporter of the students and the Student’s Union and made a lasting legacy on the institution. I can remember his annual small bursaries ($50-$100) that he would distribute each January and as a result, he made a lot of student smile.
Our deepest condolences to Leona and family on the passing of Donnie. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this very sad time.
My sincere condolences to Leona and family on Donnie’s passing. I didn’t know him well, but I could see that he loved his family and was proud of his children and grandchildren. Although it is a very sad time for all of you, try to remember the good times and the positive impact that Donnie had on so many lives.
Leona, Kevin, Karen, Elaine, Paul: I was sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. My condolences to you all. Take Care.