Obituary for Donald Bruce Hancock
Donald Bruce Hancock
After a long, hard fought battle with cancer, Don passed away on Thursday April 20th, 2023 at the Juravinski Hospital at the age of 61.
Don grew up on the family farm in South Cayuga with his loving parents Bruce and Louise (nee Nablo) Hancock and his sister Catherine Boyko (nee Hancock).
Don met the love of his life Kathryn (nee Schwanz) at age 15 while attending Senior Public School. They eventually married and settled in South Cayuga where they spent the majority of their married years together raising their family. First came their son Ryan, followed by their first daughter Bailey Dawn who tragically passed away after only one month. Shortly after they welcomed their second daughter Stacie Kae.
Don began his work experience as a gas station attendant which quickly led him to pursue being an Automotive Truck and Coach Technician which landed him several jobs working at various automotive shops.
Don always had a desire to own his own business so he decided to drive transport trucks while being the owner/operator of his own trucking company. After a decade of being on the road trucking, Don decided to revisit his career as a mechanic in order to stay close to home and began working at Haldimand Motors in Cayuga from 2001 until his eventual retirement in 2020.
Don was always one of the first people to step up and offer his help when people were in distress, so naturally he found his volunteer calling as a Firefighter with Haldimand County Emergency Services. Don served primarily out of South Haldimand Station 11, with some occasional work out of Cayuga Station 4 during the day when he was at work in town. After numerous years of responding to emergency calls, all while completing various training courses and professional development, Don eventually rose to the rank of Captain.
Looking for a quieter and simpler life, Don retired from firefighting after 20 years so that he and Kathryn and their loyal white german shepherd Lola could move to a family property in Cayuga where he then took a job in the produce department at Foodland which permitted him to stay close to home and even walk to work.
Don and Kathryn spent their time renovating their house and taking care of their property in Cayuga and were excited to welcome their first granddaughter Hailee to parents Ryan and Cianna (nee Stuart).
Unfortunately a year into working at Foodland, Don was forced to medically retire due to a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) related to his volunteer career in firefighting.
Don and Kathryn spent the next two and a half years battling his cancer with the support of the amazing staff at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton. Don spent lots of time within the Hematology Unit on B4 and the Oncology Day Services (ODS) Unit.
During Don’s long battle, he was able to enjoy a short period in remission which allowed him to spend some brief but well needed quality time with his family without most of the strict medically necessary isolation restrictions. Don even got to see his daughter Stacie Kae get engaged to her love Harold Wax (after asking for permission of course!). Unfortunately, Don was unable to see the two of them get married in October 2023 as he lost his brave fight on April 20th and began his journey to the other side, but not before saying goodbye to his loving wife of 40 years and his children one last time.
Donald Bruce Hancock
Beloved husband for 40 years of Kathryn (nee Schwanz). Loving father of Ryan (Cianna), Stacie Kae (Harold Wax) and the late Bailey Dawn (1988). Cherished grampy of Hailee. Dear brother of Catherine (Dennis) Boyko. Son-in-law of Howard and Marilyn Schwanz. Predeceased by his parents Louise and Bruce.
Don will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, fellow firefighters, and a large circle of friends.
If so desired, donations to Juravinski Hospital - Hematology Unit or ODS would be appreciated by the family.
After a long, hard fought battle with cancer, Don passed away on Thursday April 20th, 2023 at the Juravinski Hospital at the age of 61.
Don grew up on the family farm in South Cayuga with his loving parents Bruce and Louise (nee Nablo) Hancock and his sister Catherine Boyko (nee Hancock).
Don met the love of his life Kathryn (nee Schwanz) at age 15 while attending Senior Public School. They eventually married and settled in South Cayuga where they spent the majority of their married years together raising their family. First came their son Ryan, followed by their first daughter Bailey Dawn who tragically passed away after only one month. Shortly after they welcomed their second daughter Stacie Kae.
Don began his work experience as a gas station attendant which quickly led him to pursue being an Automotive Truck and Coach Technician which landed him several jobs working at various automotive shops.
Don always had a desire to own his own business so he decided to drive transport trucks while being the owner/operator of his own trucking company. After a decade of being on the road trucking, Don decided to revisit his career as a mechanic in order to stay close to home and began working at Haldimand Motors in Cayuga from 2001 until his eventual retirement in 2020.
Don was always one of the first people to step up and offer his help when people were in distress, so naturally he found his volunteer calling as a Firefighter with Haldimand County Emergency Services. Don served primarily out of South Haldimand Station 11, with some occasional work out of Cayuga Station 4 during the day when he was at work in town. After numerous years of responding to emergency calls, all while completing various training courses and professional development, Don eventually rose to the rank of Captain.
Looking for a quieter and simpler life, Don retired from firefighting after 20 years so that he and Kathryn and their loyal white german shepherd Lola could move to a family property in Cayuga where he then took a job in the produce department at Foodland which permitted him to stay close to home and even walk to work.
Don and Kathryn spent their time renovating their house and taking care of their property in Cayuga and were excited to welcome their first granddaughter Hailee to parents Ryan and Cianna (nee Stuart).
Unfortunately a year into working at Foodland, Don was forced to medically retire due to a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) related to his volunteer career in firefighting.
Don and Kathryn spent the next two and a half years battling his cancer with the support of the amazing staff at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton. Don spent lots of time within the Hematology Unit on B4 and the Oncology Day Services (ODS) Unit.
During Don’s long battle, he was able to enjoy a short period in remission which allowed him to spend some brief but well needed quality time with his family without most of the strict medically necessary isolation restrictions. Don even got to see his daughter Stacie Kae get engaged to her love Harold Wax (after asking for permission of course!). Unfortunately, Don was unable to see the two of them get married in October 2023 as he lost his brave fight on April 20th and began his journey to the other side, but not before saying goodbye to his loving wife of 40 years and his children one last time.
Donald Bruce Hancock
Beloved husband for 40 years of Kathryn (nee Schwanz). Loving father of Ryan (Cianna), Stacie Kae (Harold Wax) and the late Bailey Dawn (1988). Cherished grampy of Hailee. Dear brother of Catherine (Dennis) Boyko. Son-in-law of Howard and Marilyn Schwanz. Predeceased by his parents Louise and Bruce.
Don will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, fellow firefighters, and a large circle of friends.
If so desired, donations to Juravinski Hospital - Hematology Unit or ODS would be appreciated by the family.