Don Moores passed away on June 30, 2021 (Image Credit: Moores Family)

By Chad Klassen

DON MOORES' CELEBRATION

Family, friends highlight kind-hearted, generous Don Moores in touching Celebration of Life

Jul 13, 2021 | 4:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a somber, emotional but uplifting Celebration of Life for the late Don Moores — with a little sprinkle of humour — just the way he would’ve liked it.

Moores passed away suddenly of a heart attack two weeks ago (June 30) while playing golf. On Tuesday, he was remembered as a true family man, for his kind-hearted nature, and his ability to be a great leader and lift everyone up.

About 500 people showed up to the Sandman Centre to show their respect for the husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, friend and colleague he was.

Don’s brother Billy Moores read the eulogy, acknowledging Don’s family-first philosophy — a mentality that stretched to his friends and colleagues as well.

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“Don cared deeply about the people he worked with,” said Billy. “He was respectful, he was positive, he was optimistic. He also had high expectations and he expected people to grow.”

Moores’ family preceded Billy as the first to speak at the celebration, beginning with his wife Sandy.

“I felt it extremely important for everyone here to see my family and his family because they really were the most important thing in his life,” said Sandy. “He loved every one of them, like they were just amazing, and they all loved him back.”

In a video shown at the Celebration of Life, it was clear how much of a family man Don Moores really was, someone who would go the extra mile no matter what.

“Tally’s last heart operation was in February [2021], and due to COVID restrictions we had certain rules to follow, but guess who drove all the way to Edmonton, breaking all the rules and sneaking in to see Tally and I — our dad, our rock,” said Don’s daughter Nikki.

Moores’ granddaughter Talitha read a letter to her grandpa.

“Dear grandpa, we will all miss you so much. We all love you so much. You were the best grandpa in the whole entire world,” she read.

There were some prominent people in attendance from the hockey world, including WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, Kelowna Rockets’ owner, President and GM Bruce Hamilton, Darryl Sydor, former Canucks defenseman Murray Baron, former Canucks goalie Kirk McLean, and Blazers’ majority owner Tom Gaglardi, who hired Moores as the team’s President and Chief Operating Officer in 2016.

“Making the Blazers’ franchise one of the very best in the Western Hockey League. There’s no doubt that we are once again a model junior hockey franchise. Don was the biggest reason. Of course nothing is perfect, but he certainly got us close,” said Gaglardi. “Don was always positive, friendly and caring. We will strive to perserve what he gave to us — all with his trademark smile on our faces.”

In addition to stories about Moores the family man — and his kind and generous spirit — there were stories about Moores the jokster, which started from an early age when he was asked at Sunday school if he wanted to go to heaven.

“Don, don’t you want to go to heaven? He said, ‘Yes, but I have a hockey practice at 2:30!” said brother Billy during the eulogy. “Don said heaven can wait that day. That he had to make his mark on the world. On June 30, heaven can no longer wait.”