Longtime Edmonton businessman Don Wheaton passed away last week at the age of 88.
Wheaton passed away on Thursday, December 29, in Naples, Florida.
He was born on October 7, 1923 in Saskatoon, and spent much of his adult life in business.
He acquired his first General Motors franchise in Saskatchewan in the late 1940s, his success as a car dealer grew to include Don Wheaton Chevrolet, located on Whyte Avenue, which opened in 1961.
Aside from his work in business, Wheaton might be best known for his work in the community and with charity organizations, including the YMCA – which has a downtown location bearing his name.
"His values [were] about being a good businessman, that gives back to the community, [and] people may not always recognize that," YMCA President Franco Savoia said. "I think I would argue that he has been a very successful businessman because he lives that philosophy as well."
He is survived by his wife, Marion, their eight children, 34 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
