McCausland, Donald John 'Don'
Don often said, “If you live to 80, you’ve had a good life.” He celebrated his 79th birthday on April 24th, so being in his 80th year certainly counts.
Don was born in Beaverton, ON, on April 24, 1947, to John and Dorothy McCausland (née Hoover). The eldest of three boys, he loved farming so much that he knew from an early age it would be his life’s work. He lived in Beaverton until he was 12, when his family moved to Hillsburgh, ON. He attended Erin District High School.
Before becoming a full-time dairy farmer, Don worked as a heavy-duty equipment mechanic and had a brief stint as a miner in Sudbury. While working as a mechanic at Kirkwood’s gas station, he met Bernice, the love of his life. They married on December 6, 1969, and had two daughters, Janet and Tammy. They rented a farm until 1974, when they purchased a family farm on the 4th Line in Euphrasia Township. Initially, Don farmed with John and was later joined by his youngest brother, Wayne. He taught Bernice how to be a farmer so well that everyone thought she had grown up on a farm herself.
After selling the farm in 2001, Don became a driving instructor. Over 15 years, he taught hundreds of teenagers and adults from Meaford, Thornbury, Collingwood, and Stayner how to drive. He greatly enjoyed the camaraderie with his students.
Don was upbeat, outgoing, well-liked, and a strong believer in community service. He volunteered with the Centre Grey Lions, the Rocklyn Arena Board, as a 4-H leader, as well as with the International Plowing Match in Meaford in 2004. He worked for many years as a snowmobile groomer operator, grooming the trails for others to enjoy. He had a distinguished career in politics, serving as a councillor and reeve of Euphrasia Township, and as the first mayor of the Municipality of Grey Highlands. He served as Warden of Grey County in 1996 and 2003. Additionally, he served on the Social Housing Committee in Toronto for six years.
Don really enjoyed watching the Toronto Blue Jays and curling, following politics and current events, and texting his buddy Dale M. about farming and life in general. In his younger years, he played slow-pitch and broom ball, curled, and snowmobiled.
He often said he never liked school, but he possessed great ingenuity. He devised a system using a RAM pump and solar power to pump water from the run-off at the back of the McCausland property, up a steep incline, and through 3,500 feet of pipe to the pond behind the barn. The McCauslands were known for their “McCausland fixes” for tractors and other equipment. Don also designed and built a bucket for his John Deere tractor, which he used around the property where he and Bernice had built their dream home.
Don passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at Brightshores Health System Meaford on June 1, 2026. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Bernice; his daughters Janet (Dean Ruddick) and Tammy (Veeron Wilson); and his granddaughters Jodi, Jenna, and Ava. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers Harold (2020) and Wayne (2010); and his brother-in-law, Ronald Yates. He will also be fondly missed by his sister-in-law, Marilynne McCausland, and her children, Michael and Laura; his sister- and brother-in-law, Barb and Larry Rose, and Barb’s sons, Kevin and Jamie Nesbitt; his sister-in-law, Jean Yates; his brother- and sister-in-law, Bruce and Chris Yates; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The McCausland Family would like to thank Brightshores for the excellent care they provided to Don, as well as Dr. Ashleigh Allen, Dr. Marc Newton, and Dr. Behzad Etemadi.
A private family service will be held at Thornbury-Clarksburg Union Cemetery on June 4, 2026. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 2–5 p.m. at the Euphrasia Memorial Community Centre (Rocklyn Hall).
As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Brightshores Meaford Hospital Foundation or the Centre Grey Lions (Cheques Only Please) would be appreciated. Donations may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 (519-538-1320), to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
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Make a donation in memory of Donald John 'Don' McCausland
Donations: Brightshores Meaford Hospital Foundation or the Centre Grey Lions (Cheques OnlyDonate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Our Sincere condolences Bernice and family on the passing of your dear husband, father and grandfather, Don.
Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Karen and Steve Cook
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Our condolences to all Don’s families, I enjoyed our driver training to Meetings ( when I drove ) to Shenstone ,representing Meaforddistrictridgerunners,as he was a groomer operator and coordinator, and a sledder,
Many stories I’m sure,of a great down to earth fellow to be told,
Rip Don,
Murray, Sandra, Randy,Brad n Kyle
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Dear Tammy and family, I only met your father (and mother) once when they came to my barbecue. This short meeting and all of the stories you told me about him gave me the impression he was a kind and steady man and very ‘salt of the earth’. I want to thank him for helping to produce the daughter who has been a faithful and steadfast friend. No doubt, her father’s daughter. I wish you and your family strength and courage in the days, months and years ahead. Gone but never forgotten.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Bernice, Janet, Tammy and families
It was with great sadness that I heard of Don’s passing.
Keep the good memories close to your heart as you face this trying time
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Dianne (McCausland) McDonald
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
To the family of Mr Donald McCausland , please have our condolences in this time of grief from the Wilson and Fraser family. To my dear sister in law Tammy ,my niece Ava and my brother Veeron ,I’m so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure meeting Mr McCausland.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
We were very sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was quite an individual – creative and generous with his time. He left quite a mark on his community.
Our thoughts are with his family during this time.
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
SORRY FOR YOUR LOST. HUGS AND LOVE DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. UNCLE DON WAS AMAZING MAN. JEFF AND I ALWAYS WAS WELCOME AT THERE HOME. ANOTHER ANGEL HAS GAIN HIS WINGS. LOVE ALWAYS JEFF KATHY KEEGAN KADEN
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
So sorry to hear about Don’s passing, I worked with him and his dad John also with Wayne, Our deepest condolences Bernice, Tammy, Janet
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Dear Bernice, Janet, Tammy and families,
My thoughts and prayers
are with you …
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
I am so sorry for your loss. May the great memories you have with your dad brings you comfort in this sad time. My sincere condolences to you, my niece , my brother and the entire family. Love you my dear.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. I enjoyed his company at County Council and anywhere I run into him. We send our sympathy to all his family. He will be missed.
Rod and Marj Knott
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Dear Tammy and Family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of your Father’s passing.
I have very fond memories of meeting your Parents for the first time in 2001 and spending time with them. Your father welcomed me with warmth and kindness, and those memories have stayed with me over the years.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. While words can do little to ease the pain of such a loss, I hope you find comfort in the many wonderful memories you shared with him and in the love of those around you.
May his memory live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
With deepest sympathy,
Jacqui Dunal
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Bernice and family,
We are saddened to learn Don has passed.
Thinking of you all during this difficult time and we send you our deepest condolences.
Todd and Jill Robinson
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Our sincere condolences to Berniece and the family. Don was a common sense kind of guy who was well respected on Grey County Council and in the community
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
My condolences to the McCausland family. I am happy to have known him.
We worked together to save the South Grey Museum along with other concerned citizens.
When he was campaigning for Mayor of Grey Highlands in 2000 he spent some time with me in our new store Eugenia Falls Emporium. He inspired me to get involved in local government. I eventually went on to become Grey County Warden in 2018.
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We had some great times in the Lions club.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Bernice and family, here at BlueWater Driving, we would like to extend our deepest condolences of Dons passing.
We will always remember Dons exceptional work ethic and the pride he took on doing a great job! I remember Don always having a friendly smile and loved a little joke..
We will each cherish our memories that we have, and happy that we had the pleasure of working/knowing him.
He will be missed!
From all of the staff at Bluewater Driving ❤️