It looks like you are viewing this on a mobile device. Would you like to use the mobile version? No thanks.
It looks like your device can support the full version of the site. Would you like to view that instead? No thanks.
Email to a friend Tweet This Send to Facebook Share on Google+
  Login
Don Tench
May 22, 1956 - January 13, 2016
Return to the Memorial Getting Started Administration Inbox  
Return to Getting Started  
Return to the Memorial Help Extend the Memorial Order a Keepsake Book  
Obituary Guestbook Photos Life Stories Contribute
<div itemprop="description">Don passed away peacefully but unexpectedly, surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 59 years old. <br /> <br />Don will be missed by his loving wife and high-school sweetheart, Karen Tench (nee Grote); his daughter Jenny (and husband Jason); his sons Gary and Andrew; his sister Marilyn and his brothers Peter (and wife Sherri) and Glenn (and wife Gaby), along with many nieces, nephews and relatives. <br /> <br />Don attended Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario, graduating in 1975. He always had passion for the maths and sciences. After graduating from McMaster University&rsquo;s Electrical Engineering program in 1979, Don began his career with Ontario Hydro. He spent 33 years working in the electrical and systems planning sector, eventually moving towards a specialty in market evolution. Don honestly loved the work he was a part of, and would proudly talk about it with anyone who would listen. <br /> <br />After retiring in the summer of 2011, Don ventured into the world of consulting. He was ready to retire, but was passionate about the industry and still wanted to contribute on a smaller scale. He would help out where he could, taking his office with him as he traveled. <br /> <br />Don was well respected in both his professional and personal life for his work ethic. He understood the value of a job well done, so much so that his children came to equate their Dad&rsquo;s farewell calls of &ldquo;work hard!&rdquo; with &ldquo;I love you!&rdquo;. <br /> <br />Don lived with Crohn's Disease his entire life, and yet he never complained. It never held him back. In fact, his family never really thought of him as &lsquo;sick&rsquo;. He traveled the world with his wife and children, rode his motorcycle, drove his sports car, attended astronomy conferences, and generally had a great time. He didn't take anything too seriously, least of all himself. And most of all, he took each new hurdle in stride - he adapted to the new 'normal' with charm and grace. And he taught his family to do the same. <br /> <br />As we do our best to make him proud and adjust to our new 'normal', he will be deeply and forever missed. <br /> <br />If you wish, please take a moment to sign the online guestbook for his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada or to the Canadian Liver Foundation in his memory.</div>