Don Blackmore
May 23, 1939 to April 11, 2026
Obituary
Heber Donald Richard (Don) Blackmore, oldest of eleven children of George and Josephine Blackmore of Port Union NL, died peacefully after a short illness at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s Newfoundland
He leaves to mourn his children, Cathy (Bob), David (Brenda), Nigel and Jennifer (Rory). Grandchildren; Paul (Chelsie), Daniel, Mia and Nolan. Great-grandson Marek. His Step-Grandchildren Dan, Lynn and Marc (Lauren) and step-great-grandchildren Brayden, Aaron, Kattie, Christopher, Ashley, Justin, Emma, Michael, Sophie and Brady. Long-time companion Ruth Baker and special friends, Lyman and Zeta Reid. His siblings Pinah, Marion, Greta, Myrna, Bonnie, Hugh, Tom and a large extended family.
Don is predeceased by his wife Barbara in 1998, son Ted in 1989 and his brothers Jim and George Jr. and sister Rosalind.
Don and Barbara were married on January 5,1961. The family moved to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Greens Harbour and Lewisporte before settling in the Musgravetown-Bloomfield area in 1970.
Don graduated from high school in Port Union and left home to work as a laboratory technician at the Department of Fisheries in St. John’s before enrolling at Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1957.
He received a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education (Memorial University) and a Master of Arts (Education) at Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec. Don enjoyed a 31-year career in education ending with his appointment as Assistant Superintendent at the Clarenville – Bonavista Regional School District.
In 1968 Don was awarded a Medal of Bravery by the Lieutenant Governor after saving victims of a car crash from drowning.
In 1986 Don was awarded the Bancroft Award by the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association for his work as the chair of the NLTA branch in the Clarenville region.
Don was very involved in community organizations. He launched the Sea Cadet Corp in Greens Harbour and the Port Blandford – Winterbrook Rural Development Association and was a Charter Member of the Musgravetown Lions Club.
No one had a bigger influence on Don than his grandfather Capt. John Han Blackmore, a respected and decorated mariner. Dad spent many years researching his Grandfather’s story and authored the biography “Born with the Sea in his Blood” which was released in 2020. Dad valued his grandfather’s kindness and quiet strength and spoke often of this fine gentleman.
Always physically fit, Don continued to hike over the hills around Cupids into his early ‘80s. Ruth Baker was a frequent companion on those walks and kept Don young at heart. He said that he refused to grow old, that age was only a state of mind.
In his later years Don moved into St. John’s and enjoyed living in the city. Life threw many challenges his way, but he persevered through it all. At his end days, he accepted that his time on earth was done and left us peacefully.
Cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Heritage United Church, Musgravetown, NL.
Sorry for your loss.Condolences to you and your family..
My Condolences to the Blackmore family. I first met Don when he joined the Eastern School District Board of Trustees. He was always a gentleman and shared his experiences with members of the board. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Don at Tiffany while I was visiting. He always had words of wisdom to share and sometimes had a funny story to tell. RIP Don
David, Brenda and Daniel,
Sincerest condolences on this significant loss. Thinking of you all and sending best wishes for comfort and peace.
We are so very sorry to hear of your loved ones passing . Please accept our heart felt condolences.
Wanda & Abigail Evans
Sending my sincere condolences to Dave Brenda Daniel and family on the passing of Don. I so enjoyed his stories and his interest in education and history. One of his proudest accomplishments was his book he authored. He had a life well lived. Rest easy Don
To Don’s family,
We were very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He always made a point of meeting Shirley for lunch when he was in the area, which she enjoyed very much. We also very much appreciated him for writing his book about grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
We are very sad to hear of our cousin’s passing.. While our families lived next door to each other growing up in Port Union, I really didn’t get to know Donald until our years in Cupids. It was a pleasure to spend time with him and Ruth and to be a small part of the excitement as he finished his book about our grandfather. Rest in peace Donald, your work on earth is done, your legacy remains. God speed 🙏🏼
Colleen (Blackmore) & Clarence Nyce
To Don’s family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on Don’s passing. As fellow educators, we knew Don well and worked with him in various capacities. In particular, Don was a valued member of the committee which helped lobby for and design the Clarenville Events Center. He was truly admired and respected by many in the Musgravetown – Clarenville area.
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I met him through his many community contributions in the Clarenville area, and then through Ruth. He was a lovely man of integrity and my condolences to his family.
Blackmore Family
Sincere condolences to you at this difficult time, have fond memories of working with Don on the drama festival.
John Adams
To Don’s family, friends, Aunt Ruth and Craig Baker; it was a pleasure to have met Don. We have shared meals, laughter and fine chats that will remain a treasure.
May he rest in eternal peace.
To Don’s family and Ruth. So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I met Don many years ago through my sister and her husband Alfred Bailey. He was a true gentleman. I often had a little chat with him when I visited my sister Ella at her condo. My sympathy to you all as you go through your time of sorrow. Phyllis Beckett
Len and I knew Don in our younger years and remember him as a very fine individual who was well suited to the teaching profession.
Len and I knew Don in our younger years and remember him as a very fine man who was well suited to the teaching profession. More recently we have met him on our walks around Kenny’s Pond where we stopped and chatted about earlier times and what life was like then. I met his lovely daughter-in-law while teaching at Macdonald Drive Elementary. We extend our sincere sympathy to Don’s family and friends.
Deepest condolences to the Blackmore family and to Ruth Baker on Dons passing.
Susan and Stephen Pike
Sorry to learn of the passing of your dad Dave. Sending my condolences to you and your family.
Dave, my sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to Don’s family , and Ruth . I always enjoyed our chats and certainly enjoyed reading his book ……Llew Norman
David, Brenda, Daniel and the Blackmore family, I am sorry to hear of Don’s passing and offer my sincere condolences. I always enjoyed any opportunity to speak with Don, especially when he was recounting the exploits of the Blackmore family, most notably when he spoke with great fondness of Grandfather Blackmore. I would particularly mention Don’s wonderful book about Grandfather Blackmore, “Born with the Sea in His Blood”. It is a testament to Don’s talent as a writer and historian, as well as his dedication, perseverance and love for his family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
God Bless And Keep You
My deepest condolences to Dave, Nigel.and family. He was a good man and he touched many people on his journey. RIP Mr.Blackmore
My condolences to Don’s family, and to Ruth Baker. I got to know Don through St. James U Church. He was a wonderful person and will be missed by many.
Heather Hickman
So sorry for your loss! Sincere and heartfelt condolences to all family and friends! Mr. Blackmore was a good person and a teacher who cared for his students.. R.I.P Mr. Blackmore.
To Don’s familly,
Very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was the cousin that always kept in touch with our families. We always looked forward to his visits – from dropping in on his way home from school in Port Union to his visits in St.John’s in later years. We were also very grateful to him for writing a book about our grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
I met Don many years ago at the Cupids Cove Plantation PHS. Always enjoyed a great chat. Sending condolences to Ruth Baker and Don’s family.
Sad to hear of Don’s passing. Always a pleasure to meet and chat with Don about our days working in education. Condolences to Ruth and Don’s family.
Cathy,David,Nigel,Jennifer and families,
It is with great sadness ,grief, and sorrow that I pass along my sincere condolences to you all..
Your Dad was the brother that I was so proud of;
at home, at school, at his wedding, at his career of choice , and mostly in his role of father to you all.
Not only was he a great dancer, skater, orator, he was a wonderful teacher; he even taught me how to shoot targets with a 22 rifle in Little Bay Islands where we first taught together!
His abilities to cope with the many tragic losses he experienced in his life with such grace and fortitude has always amazed and inspired me….
I will forever be grateful to him for being such an exceptional Dad to you all.. Always remember how very proud I am of each and every one of you.
Rest in peace my dear brother,
Pinah (Blackmore) Short
Sorry for your loss and deepest condolences to the family.
I served on NL Eastern School Board with Don for four years. We differed on some issues but I never doubted his commitment to the success of the students that we did our best to govern wisely. I enjoyed meeting him after our time on the Board at the LG Garden Party several times and at public lectures and other events to catch up. My sincere condolences to his family on their loss. May he RIP.
My sincere condolences to the whole family. Our neighbour for many years! Holding you all close to my heart. ❤️
To Mr. Blackmore’s Family
So very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Your dad was a dedicated man and wanted to see everyone succeed in life. I have a lot of memories of him – being my principal, my boss for 6 1/2 years while working at Musgravetown High and also working with him at the School Board Office when he was Assistant Director. After is moving to St. John’s he called me on several occasions for a chat.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Cherish your precious memories as I’m sure there are many.
Take care.
Dave, Brenda, Daniel, our condolences on Don’s passing.. He was proud of his whole family and of his teaching career as shown by the wonderful comments of his students.. May he rest in peace and may you be comforted by thoughts of his productive life.
Dave,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your dad.. Let all your memories help you, Brenda, Daniel, the rest of your family get through the days ahead.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care.
‘Your Townie Mom’ AKA Alison Moore
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing . Sending deepest sympathies to you all .
Ron and Lorraine Robbins
To The Family of the Late Donald Blackmore,
So sorry to hear of your great loss. He was my principal at Musgravetown High School when I attended there. He was a very nice man. Hang on to all of your precious memories. Be assured of my thoughts and prayers. Take care. God bless!
Rest in peace, Mr. Blackmore. Thank you for your guidance and mentorship in school from grade 8 to grade 12. I had then and always will have the utmost respect for you. Your kind gesture of visiting our home and spending time with my family when my father passed away will never be forgotten. A man of grace, always. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Jennifer, Nigel and Families,
So very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was a big influence during my first years teaching in Musgravetown. I will never forget how he helped me handle a family emergency and his offer to drive me to my family at that time. May your good memories of times together give you some comfort at this time..
To Don’s family,
My sincere sympathy.
Don was a great friend, also a cousin.
Rex
Dear Bonnie and Paul, sending you and your family our deepest condolences on the loss of your dearest brother Don. You and your family are in our prayers during this challenging time.
May you find solace in the memories you cherish.
To Don’s family.
We share with you a great sense of loss in the passing of our good friend and neighbour of many years. We all moved to the Musgravetown-Bloomfield area together in 1970 and in the intervening years shared many happy and sometimes sad experiences in our lives as neighbours and colleagues. We are saddened at Don’s passing but are happy to have been privileged to have shared quality time with him, most recently at his apartment in Tiffany Village.
May your collective good memories be a source of comfort to you all today and in future..
Sincere condolences,
Frank & Louise
Don always wanted the best for everyone and it took me years after school ended to realize this . R.I.P Mr. Blackmore.
Sincere condolences to you all.
I enjoyed my “chats” with Uncle Don over the years and enjoyed listening when him and Mom would reiminise about their childhood.
Hold tight onto the cherished memories created in your family at this most difficult time.
Hugs,
Paulette, Gordie & family
Sincere condolences to Don’s family. I have many memories of Don when he was Principal at Musgravetown and Assistant Director at the School District office where we both worked..
Sending my deepest sympathies to all the family.
May the memories of your father’s life bring you comfort.
Condolences to the family.
Dave , Brenda and the Blackmore family, So Sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing . A wonderful man indeed who took a great concern for me in my younger years and will never be forgotten..
The family of Don Blackmore, Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I knew Don from his time in Musgravetown as he was a friend of my Father. I have seen him several times over the years and was always a pleasure to talk with him. RIP
Dave condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Thinking of you all.
Dave, Brenda, Daniel & family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. May your many treasured memories of him bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Lisa and Ches
Dave, Brenda, Daniel and family
Sending our love and prayers on the passing of Mr. Blackmore. He lived a full, productive life and left this world peacefully. Hold that close to your hearts as you move forward. Bless you all…
To Don’s family and loved ones
Please accept our sincere condolences on Don’s passing. In recent years he was a valued member of St. James United Church Congregation and the men’s club. His contribution to our community will be missed by all.
Dave, Brenda and family. Thinking of you at this most difficult time. Keep those wonderful memories close at heart. Our sincere condolences. Craig and Jane Parsons
Dave,Brenda, Daniel and family, sending our deepest condolences on the passing of Mr Blackmore. Know that all your care was so special in his final days. Cherish all the memories of a life well lived. Sending our sympathy , love prays and hugs at this time oxo Paul and Sharon (Moores )