Obituary of Donald James Beyea

With deep sadness, the family of Donald James Beyea announce his passing on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at the Saint John Regional Hospital after a long illness. Don was the son of Velma Beyea and the late James Beyea. He was 64 years of age. Don was the loving husband of Jane (Fenety) Beyea, a proud father of their four children—Steven Beyea, Halifax, NS, Janet Beyea Desrosiers (Marc) of Kanata, Ontario, Emily Beyea and Caroline Beyea of Saint John; a devoted grandfather to Aaron and Liam Desrosiers and a wonderful son and brother to his mother Velma and sister Lynda Shaw (David) of Saint John. He will also be missed by his extended family and many friends. Don was born in Saint John and was a graduate of Saint John High School and attended the University of New Brunswick as a Beaverbrook Scholar, graduating with a B.Sc. and M.Sc. (Physics) degrees. In 1968 Don began his career as Medical Physicist at the Saint John General Hospital in Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine and then as part of the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation from where he retired in May after 40 years of service. Don worked with UNBSJ and NBCC Saint John to help bring about the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in Nuclear Medicine. He was a member of the medical staff as an Affiliated Scientist and earned a Professional Physicist designation from the Canadian Association of Physicists. Toward the end of his career Don was pleased to be a part of the official opening of the PET-CT Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Don was actively involved in his community as a Board of School Trustee, a District Education Council member, a member of the Board of the Saint John School of Nursing and chair of the Provincial Board of Diploma Schools of Nursing and chair of the VON Board in Saint John. Don had an active interest in federal and provincial politics and was a life-long worshiper at Saint Luke’s Anglican Church, Main Street. Don’s great zest for life was an inspiration to many people. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Thursday from 7-9 PM and Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:30 AM from St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Main Street North. A private family interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the VON Saint John Branch or to St. Luke’s Anglican Church would be appreciated by the family.