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Lan Vu uploaded photo(s)
Monday, August 14, 2023
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Dear Sylvia,
Our family are so sad to hear about Dr Acton. We were hoping that we would have a chance to meet you and Dr Acton again in Saskatoon. Dr Acton was one of the kindest and warmest people we have ever met. We always remember the sweet memories of you, Dr Acton and your family when we were in Saskatoon. Here are some beautiful memories about the time you and Dr Acton took Hung out for a Banff trip. Dr Acton will forever be in our and other Vietnamese students’ heart. How we wish we could be in Saskatoon and give you a big hug during this difficult time Sylvia.
Hung, Lan, Lan Chi and Duy
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Sylvia Acton Posted Aug 21, 2023 at 1:31 PM
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Jim Miller posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Don Acton. Don and Roly St. Arnaud were my co-supervisors for my M.Sc. research at St. Denis wetland site back in the 1980s at U of Sask. I learned a lot about soil science and hydrogeology from Don, and he was a very kind person. I have very fond memories of Don, and I am sorry for your loss.
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Sylvia Acton Posted Jul 30, 2023 at 11:34 AM
Hello Jim,
Thank you for remembering Don. I do recall those survey times and as you well know the wetlands look so different now than at that time.Don enjoyed the many interesting and enjoyable people whom he met and worked with.I hope this finds you well.It is hard to believe that on July 29th it will be three months since Don died.We certainly miss him!
Sincerely,Sylvia.
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Gerry Luciuk posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Just came across Don's obit. My b
elated condolences from a former
soil survey assistant. Don was a gentleman, scholar and pre-eminent pedologist. Above all he knew how to instill in students a love of landscape science and foundations of our precious soils. On the side he was an endless source of evening drinking games and baseball challenge matches with local farm boys. A soils colleague that will be sorely missed.
Gerald Luciuk BSA '67 MSc '73
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Sylvia Acton Posted Jul 3, 2023 at 3:18 PM
Hello Gerry,
Thank you for these thoughtful and fun insights into the time you spent with Don!He really loved survey,his buddies digging enormous holes and of course the challenge of what indeed it was you were examining.
We really miss him it all happened so quickly but most merciful for him.
Pnuemonia with complications caused his passing.
Sincerely,
Sylvia.
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Sonja Wood posted a condolence
Friday, June 16, 2023
Dearest Sylvia and Family: we’re so saddened to hear of Dr. Acton’s passing. He was an intellectual leader at our Soil Survey Unit and a mentor to many. It was very special when he took our Tammie under his “wings” and gave her skilled leadership that is still with her today. He taught her the difference between “soil” and “dirt”!! Sylvia, your input, too, to our family; your care and compassion is extraordinary. You two were a fantastic team. We will miss him but I am sure the roses in heaven will be award-winning! God bless you all and bring comfort to you for all Don’s good works!!
Sonja, Willie, Tammie, Walter, Warren and Nina Wood.
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G S Dasog posted a condolence
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Dear Sylvia and family,
I am extremely sorry to learn about Don’s demise. I cherish fond memories of my family’s association with Don and you during our stay in Saskatoon and beyond. I remain ever grateful to you both for your steadfast support while at U of S. It was during field trips that Don and I used to talk about the family, politics, world affairs, sports and what have you. He was a great covesationalist. I found him extremely kind, humble, knowledgeable and meticulous in planning May you and rest of the family dervive enough strength to bear this loss.
Ghulappa Dasog from India
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Sylvia Acton Posted Jun 11, 2023 at 12:18 PM
Hello Ghulappa,It is so kind of you to remember and pay tribute to Don at this time of sadness and loss.As you know Don loved his work and I think that he derived so much satisfaction and enjoyment in the many places he travelled and the people such as you whom he met and respect and friendship followed.We share many happy memories of our time spent with you and Nanda and your family.
I know how much you miss,Nanda it is truly a huge change in our lives.
Thank you,
Sincerely,Sylvia.
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Laura Van Loon posted a condolence
Monday, May 29, 2023
Dear Sylvia, Paul and I send our sympathy to you and your tightly-knit family. You are an example of a family that we admire and feel so close to over the years since we met you. Don’s absolutely wonderful and tranquil garden of roses, the landscaping and ornamental features were so beautiful. He was an amazing guy and I do remember all the get-togethers with your nursing friends. He was so interesting to talk to and had so many stories to share. Always hospitable, hard-working, family-centred and home-loving. Especially his Sylvia! Laura and Paul
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Sylvia Acton Posted Jun 4, 2023 at 3:36 PM
Dear Laura and Paul.
Thank you for your most wonderful remembrances of Don.He had a rich and varied life which in turn also encompassed many things that we were able to enjoy doing together. He faced the many health challenges with courage ,optimism for a good outcome and gratitude to all who assisted him in many areas of his care..He is dearly missed but will always be a treasured part of our lives.Sylvia.
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Faye Turnbull posted a condolence
Friday, May 26, 2023
Don and Sylvia have been a wonderful example of a couple dedicated to each other, family, and friends. They are also well-respected in their respective areas of study and employment. Don will be missed!
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Marie Boehm posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Sylvia and family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Don was a wonderful boss, colleague, mentor and friend and I benefited from his guidance and support throughout my soil science career. It was my very great good fortune to be part of the Vietcansol project and travel in Vietnam with Don. He fully enjoyed those trips, reveling in new experiences and getting to know the Vietnamese scientists and students. His enthusiasm was infectious and made the project such a success.
I hope you can take comfort in knowing that memories of Don will be cherished by people around the world. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him.
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Sylvia Acton Posted May 19, 2023 at 11:21 PM
Thank you ,Marie for this wonderful tribute!You truly did travel many miles and he so enjoyed your input as a scientist and friend.We will miss him forever as he was so dedicated to us and his passion for finding more relatives and gaining many friendly contacts through his Geneology research.Sylvia.
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Warren Eilers posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Sylvia and family
I am so sorry for the loss of Don. Don was much more than a colleague of mine. He was my mentor, councilor and friend who helped me out in innumerable ways. I will remember and cherish the time I spent with Don in the field as part of the Saskatchewan Soil Survey and during my field work for my Masters. Over time we built a solid friendship where I called him "Chief" for all the advice he provided me and he called me "Coach" for the advice I tried to provide as he struggled with transitioning from the Apple computer he had at home to the Windows computer in his office next to mine. I also appreciated all the kindness extended to me by both Don and Sylvia at your home. There were many meals and laughs.
Sylvia and family, I am sure you can take comfort in knowing that Don will always be remembered as an accomplished scientist, friend, and family man who always saw the upside of situations and people.
Rest in peace Don.
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Sylvia Acton Posted May 19, 2023 at 11:19 PM
Hi Warren,Thank you for your wonderful remembrances of Don.He was so fortunate to have you and others as colleagues and friends over the span of his career.We go back a long way Warren in good times and times of life changes.We have had some wonderful evenings at your home and the journey we were on with Don's health plus Covid changed our ability to socialize as much as we would have wanted.Your friendship to Don and I has been something we treasure.Sylvia.
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Leone Farrell posted a condolence
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Sylvia,
A very sad notice that it was Don’s time to move on to something else. He will be missed by so many people beyond his family which certainly validates the way he lived his life.
Leone Farrell
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Elaine Tall posted a condolence
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Condolences to the Acton family, my thoughts are with you.
Elaine Tall
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Meredith McGeough posted a condolence
Friday, May 5, 2023
Dear Sylvia, Kevin, Cheryl, and Family,
I want to send my heartfelt condolences to you all. I have so many good memories of being neighbours with you on Morgan Ave, in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Don’s garden was amazing. I enjoyed chatting with him when he came past on the daily dog walk. And our parents thoroughly enjoyed having Don and you Sylvia as wonderful neighbours and friends and members of Grosvenor Park Church congregation for so many great years. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the days ahead. We are so sorry for your loss.
Meredith and John McGeough, Kamloops, BC.
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Bob Eilers posted a condolence
Friday, May 5, 2023
Dear Sylvia
I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Don, from soil survey correlations trips across the prairies, work meetings in Ottawa at the Central Experimental Farm and numerous incidental meetings over may years. I particularly remember him patiently listening to a young MSc student trying to explain hydropedology in the early 70’s. I was forever grateful for his interest and encouragement. I also had the good fortune to participate in international travels to Don’s CIDA-AIC project in Vietnam and Don’s visit to our CIDA-AIC project in Sri Lanka. On one occasion during Don’s visit to Sri Lanka he bought jewelry as a surprise for Sylvia who subsequently got a call from the credit card company and accidently discovered his secret surprise. Don had a wonderful sense of humor; he will be missed by many many friends and colleagues.
My deepest condolences to you and your family
Bob Eilers
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Sylvia Acton Posted May 8, 2023 at 2:40 PM
Dear Bob. Thanks for this wonderful recollection of your time spent with Don on the many projects that you shared. You were a valued colleague, Bob, and your shared passion made such a difference, especially in those overseas projects.
Sincerely, Sylvia and family
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Prof. Ranjith Mapa uploaded photo(s)
Friday, May 5, 2023
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From Prof. Ranjith Mapa-Sri Lanka
Dear Mrs. Sylvia and family, we, the members of the Soil Science Society is sad to hear about the passing away of Prof. Don Acton. Don visited Sri Lanka in 2004 as an evaluator of the Sri Lanka-Canada Soil Resource (SRICANSOL) Project and visited many field sites with us. The photograph shows him examining a soil profile with me in Sri Lanka.
When myself and Dr. Nayakekorale visited Manitoba, Canada, as partners of the SRICANSOL project, Don met us and drove us from Manitoba to Saskatchewan to show the country, visiting his brother at his farm to show us the field operations. During our stay at Saskatchewan we met Sylvia with our Vietnam partners. Don was very interested in showing us the famous museum in Saskatchewan where the history of formation of the Hardy Technical College in Ampara, Sri Lanka when Prof. Hardy was working in Sri Lanka. May his soul rest in peace.
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Sylvia Acton Posted May 8, 2023 at 2:47 PM
Dear Professor Mapa, what a wonderful recollection of the time you spent with Don in Sri Lanka and here in Canada. I still treasure and wear the blue sapphire ring that Don brought me as a gift from Sri Lanka. It was so good to have you in Saskatoon and also that you got to see the Acton family farm. Thank you so much for this photo that shows Don doing what he loved. I hadn't seen in before. It is wonderful for me and our family to see. Very best wishes to you and your family. Sincerely, Sylvia
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Minh Dang posted a condolence
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Dear Mrs. Sylvia and family
I was so very sad to hear that Dr. Dolnald Acton has passed away, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Don is still alive in my heart. I will never forget his great merit and affection for us during our study in Canada. He has always taken care of us and helped me a lot in the early days when I first came to Saskatoon in 1998. He encouraged me to complete my PhD program at the University of Saskatchewan. Don was the bridge for the friendship and cooperation between many universities of Vietnam and Canada. In particular, he has contributed greatly to the study of soil science at our University.
Don was so wonderful to all of us that we can share in some small part in your grief. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy..
Van Minh DANG, Thai Nguyen University, Vietnam
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Sylvia Acton Posted May 8, 2023 at 2:55 PM
Dear Minh, Our bond with you and our other friends in Vietnam is so special. Remembering you shingling the gazebo, building the fence, and going for sand outside of Saskatoon are just a few of the special memories I have. Thank you for this heartfelt message of respect and honour for Don and know that it was reciprocated. I will write to you a later date. Love and best wishes to you and your family. Sincerely, Mrs. Sylvia and family
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Richard Acton posted a condolence
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Dear Sylvia
We join you and your Family in deep Mourning for the loss of our brother Donald. He was a remarkable brother and Acton family member who through his meticulous research, showed us who we were and where we came from, I recall his great love of sports, especially listening to hockey night in Canada while sitting around ,trying to get close to the old radio to hear Foster Huett's announcement of the game.I also think we should remember the good times we had, the holiday travelling around England and Scotland or the salmon fishing off Gabriola Island.
Donald may be gone but he will remain in our hearts for the rest of our days,
Richard and Marjory
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Laura Van Loon lit a candle
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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Laura Van Loon posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Dear Sylvia and Family, Paul saw the death notice this morning and I have walked around not knowing when to call or what I could do. I am so very sad. I know the closeness of you and Don and how you were always making sure you got home for dinner with him. There was Sis, your immediate family, Reg- and all the beautiful hours of gardening in your incredible flower beds. I remember Don telling me about getting the soil tested in your yards so he had information to improve the earth. And how he landscaped your front yard after your tree had to be cleared out.
All the marvellous parties and he would be in the room off the kitchen just waiting to talk to a friendly nurse or two that Sylvia had over for tea and cake- with those wonderful napkins.
Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to you and all the family. Laura and Paul
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Wednesday, May 3, 2023
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Evelyn Schellenberg posted a condolence
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Sylvia, Kevin, Cheryl and families. My deepest sympathy. Too much time has passed since we've seen each other; so many memories of our wonderful neighbourhood. God Bless you at this time.
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Tuesday, May 2, 2023
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