Obituary of Donald Frank Casler

Passed away suddenly on October 27, 2019 at 71 years of age. Reunited with parents Welby (1959) and Dorothy Engel (2007.) Will be greatly missed and always honoured by his daughter Jessica and son Matthew. Beloved brother of Janet, Marilyn, and Rob (Tracey). Uncle of Jane (Ben), Devin (Keegan), and Aaron (1997). Favourite grandpa and best buddy of Dryden, Cooper, and Lennon. Also survived by daughter Angela. Don retired early from CN Rail, and filled his days with odd jobs, well told stories, and more friends then you or I could count. Everyone loved Don. Don loved to cook, garden, ride around on his bike, and sit around a circle with a story or a guitar, and some beverages. He was a brilliant writer and an amateur harmonica player. He had a gadget for absolutely everything, whether you needed it or not. Don was wild and eclectic and a total hippie at heart, and it worked for him. Everyone knew him, and everyone had a story about him. He lived more in his 71 years than most people do. He saw much of the world. He lived in BC, learned to scuba dive in Fiji, he worked in the mines, toured much of Europe, and he once up and moved to the Dominican Republic. He put on a lot of miles during his years, and loved to talk about his experiences. He was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren, and always had an anecdote and a new picture to share. Cremation has taken place. Celebration of life in Mitchell, Ontario on Saturday November 9, and another to follow in Windsor - date to be determined. Corridors By Don Casler While travelling down a corridor In the tunnels of my mind, I came across a darkened door But no key could I find. So I gently knocked upon the door, To see what lay inside, But my knocking echoed back again And a muffled voice replied, "It does no good to knock there, It's not that kind of door. You can't get in without the key, 'Cause that's what keys are for." I said "I want to find the key," I asked "Where should I start?" The voice replied "Just look inside, The key is in your heart." T'was only curiosity That stopped me by the door, But then I realized I had a need for something more. And I guess the need was just enough For the door swung open wide, And the corridor was brightened By the light that shone inside. The light was understanding And it led me on the way, Up the hill of one dark evening To a lakeshore summer day. And as I looked around me, I was surprised to find; T'was no new country I was in, But a better state of mind."