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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
AXFORD, Donald Wynn (Don) - Don was born in Winnipeg, the third of four sons of Ethel and Gudmunder Axford. Don and his brothers spent their early years surviving the great Depression and caring for their mother after their father's death. In 1943, Don joined the Canadian Navy and was a radar operator on convoy duty in the North Atlantic, protecting allied shipping lanes between Canada and Ireland. Don often joked of the jubilation and embarrassment of celebrating VE day with extra rum rations and rough seas. After the war, Don completed a Bachelor of Science degree in geology and physics from the University of Manitoba. Early work experiences surveying around Lake Superior and canoeing the Mackenzie Delta provided the early fascination for a remarkable fifty-seven year career in the oil industry. At about this same time, on a cold Winnipeg street corner, Don was fortunate to bump into Ruthie Hartig, whom he had met before but not seen for years. They were engaged within a month and spent fifty-four wonderful years together. Don and Ruth lived in Calgary, Texas and New York as Don spent the first twenty-eight years of his career with Mobil Oil. Through this time, Don and Ruth were blessed with four healthy children (Janet, Jon, Bob, Eric) and some character dogs. Don was a pioneering figure in the discovery and development of Canada's east coast energy industry. By his mid-fifties, Don joined Petro-Canada briefly and then started his own small company (together with son Jon) and enjoyed another twenty-eight years pursuing his passion for exploration. Ruth and the other children also worked at the family business from time to time. Don was called by some a "wild-eyed explorationist", "the father of Canada's east coast energy industry", the "billion barrel man" or simply "the Chief". Don received numerous recognitions for his achievements including a Gold Medal from the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists and induction into the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2001. Throughout his career, Don was also a Director of several energy corporations and other organizations including Bethany Care Centre and Lutheran Life Insurance Society of Canada. Don particularly enjoyed spending time with his family, playing with his six grandchildren and going on long walks. Shuswap Lake was a favorite retreat. He highly valued his long association with many special friends and colleagues and loved everything Icelandic, the lineage of his ancestors. He had a life-long love of music, from Wagner and Mozart to Abba and Johnny Cash. Don was a man of steadfast faith and a strong mentor and role model to many. People will remember his endless energy, enthusiasm, curiosity for everything and everyone, and the twinkle in his eye. Even in deteriorating health, Don remained always curious of industry events and dreamed of his next big venture. Don is survived by his wife, children (and spouses) and grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Herbert Axford (and wife Joan) of Victoria; sister-in-law Phyllis Axford of Winnipeg; brother-in-law the Rev. Herbert Hartig of Cambridge Ontario; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 10620 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary (Pastors William Wiegert and Corliss Holmes officiating). Donations in Don's memory, if desired, may be made to the Memorial Fund of Lutheran Church of the Cross or the Canadian Red Cross.
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For Posterity's Sake 
