Donald James Nystoruk

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved dad, brother, grandpa, and dear friend, Donald James Nystoruk on November 1, 2024, in Calgary AB. We surrounded him with love right until his final moments.

Donald James was born on March 27, 1953, in Kamloops BC, the eldest son of Rose Terlesky and William Nystoruk, first-generation Ukraine-Canadians. Within 7 years, siblings Kathy, Betty, Peter, and Bev completed their lively, love & laughter-filled home. He attended John Todd Elementary school, learning English in grade 1, and spent a good portion of his childhood teaching his siblings how to ride bikes, build zip lines and host tag team wrestling matches in the front room, never excluding anyone. He was known for his playful teasing and a mischievous “inner brat,” a trait he would have all his life. Don embraced his role as big brother from the beginning until the end, with unwavering love and care.
In addition to attending youth group at church, Don was an active member of Scouts Canada, joining as a cub and continuing until adulthood. He spoke fondly of these experiences and the valuable life skills he gained.

Don developed a passion for music, particularly guitar, at an early age, and the basement often became a gathering place where he and his friends would practice. After completing grade 12 at NorKam Secondary School, Don enrolled at Cariboo College to study Accounting. This did not last, stating “it wasn’t for me,” instead, he joined a band called “Rush” as bass guitarist and vocalist, playing in towns and cities across the region. Lifetime friendships were formed, it was an amazing period of his life.

A close-knit Ukranian family, Don had many aunts, uncles, and cousins he would spend time with regularly. It was through an aunt that he met Mary Lew, who would become his first wife in 1976. The loss of an unborn child profoundly impacted Don, fueling his deep desire to create a family of his own. Sadly, the marriage dissolved after this difficult experience.
Don was a young man in the era defined by its counterculture, so life was full of adventure, freedom, and independence. In the mid 1980’s, and single again, Don moved to Edmonton AB, to seek work in the booming Oil and Gas industry. “Curly” as he became affectionately referred to, worked across the 3 prairie provinces and it was at Brooks AB, in 1989, where he would meet Sheila Marie-Cyr and her 3 young daughters, Melissa, Candace, and Natasha. From that moment they became his “Girls” and in 1995 Don and Sheila got married.
Curly was a man of unyielding integrity, and his strong work ethic saw him rise through the ranks. His role as operations manager led to several relocations to Leduc, Calgary and to Okotoks. There, with his sharp mind and dedication, he founded DomeCana, an oilfield consulting company.

Don and Sheila’s marriage eventually ended, but the relationships with his girls would continue to be strengthened. Don became a proud Grandpa to Charlie, Toby, Sawyer, and Bow (Melissa), Mason, Laya, Taylem, and Eva (Candace), and Jayden and Jaymie (Natasha). An altruistic soul, Grandpa Don devoted his life to his family, he was truly the “rock.” Don’s life was shaped by his selfless commitment to family and friends alike. You could count on him being present, at every family function, he was the first to call on your birthday and he would send his girls flowers on Valentine's Day, religiously. A compassionate, generous & dedicated friend, the number of lives he has enriched, is unmeasurable.
His life was spent giving without limits, enduring without complaint, and proving that being a parent is about showing up not sharing DNA. Thank you, Don, we love you.

Don is lovingly survived by his three girls, Melissa from Brooks, AB, Candace from Diamond Valley, AB, and Natasha from Diamond Valley, AB & their families, his sisters Kathy (Jack) from Oyama BC, and Bev from Claresholm AB, and their families, numerous cousins, nieces & nephews, and many friends near and far. He is predeceased by his parents Rose (1982) and William (2003), his brother Peter (2013) and sister Betty (2015), ex-wife Sheila (2015), and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We find comfort in knowing that, on December 1, 2024, Don was there to warmly greet his beloved niece Trisha Vanderstaar in heaven.

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