Donald Benson Betts

Don passed away suddenly in hospital on October 3rd, 2025, in his 87th year with family by his side.

He is predeceased by his parents, LeRoi and Audrey Betts, his two brothers and sisters- in-law, David and Wendy and John and Annie. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Ottawa), his children, Sheldon (Cathy) of Ottawa, Susan (David) of Vancouver, and Karen (Steve) of Vernon, BC. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Dylan, Morgan, Ryan, Shane, Michael, Andrew, and Lizzie all his nieces and nephews, great grandchildren and many extended family members.

Don grew up on a farm in Millerton, New Brunswick on the Miramichi River. He went to UNB in Fredericton to study Civil Engineering (1960) and then to Western University in London to do his MBA (1964).

Don married Mary (nee Thomas) in 1962 in Ottawa. They met while he was working for Bell as an engineer and Mary was a nurse at the Civic Hospital.

After his MBA, he worked in the investment industry. This would become a lifelong passion for him, and he specialized in research. For most of his career he lived in Oakville and worked in Toronto. Long after he retired, he continued to talk about the market and politics to his many work colleagues, family and friends.

In 1990 he and Mary moved to Ottawa to be closer to the Heart Institute. Don actively set up and funded a research project to provide the hospital with artificial heart pumps in case Mary needed one. Mary ended up having a successful heart transplant in 1996.

Don always had a soft spot for his hometown in Millerton. The family home he grew up in is still in the family. He travelled to New Brunswick often and will be buried there next summer. He also spent lots of time at the family cottage on Bob’s Lake which he designed and built with the help of family. It has been a place of laughter, music, dancing and love. He always had a joke to tell and enjoyed exercise, music, poker, oatmeal and home-made red wine.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00pm at Tubman Funeral Home Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Road. For those wishing to attend virtually, please pre-register for the livestream by clicking here.