It is with profound sadness, but with very thankful hearts for his longevity, that the family of the late Donald Milton Anthony Bragg announce his peaceful passing in his 92nd year at his home, surrounded by loved ones, in The Route , Pilley's Island, on 13 April 2023.

Don, as he was known near and far, was born on 29 November 1930 to Stuart and Minnie [Anthony] Bragg of Greenspond.  At the age of 21, he met the love of his life Ruby Maye of Head's Harbour. They were married on 30 August 1952; together they had 4 children, and spent their lives in Pilley's Island.

He is predeceased by his parents Stuart and Minnie, sister Nellie Anthony Badcock, step-father Wesley J. Pittman, parents-in-law Pearce and Maude Maye, step-brother John [Alma] Pittman, step-sisters Jean [Ron] Rice, Margaret [Bram] Rice, step-brother-in-law Bruce Anthony, brothers-in-law Ralph Maye, Roy Payne, and Lod Anthony, sister-in-law Doreen Anthony, and grand-son-in-law Capt. Matthew Davis, Cougar 491 Pilot.

Left with fond and loving memories are: his wife of 70 years ~ Ruby, sons Jerry [Myra], Ricky [Christine], daughters Roxann* [Dennis] Gill, Angela [Duane] Clarke, 13 grandchildren ~ Jamie, Jeremy, Marsha, Janis, Rebecca, Samantha, Jonathon, Mackenzie, Danny, Jenna, Sarah, Amanda, Michael, 14 great-grandchildren ~ Joelle, Jayla, James, Shannon, William, Isabella, Emma, Lilly, Caleb, Samuel, Ellie, Emilia, Sophia, Ava, step-sister Doreen Anthony, sisters-in-law Marie [Maye] and Linda [Payne], special cousin, and Korean War Veteran, Roy Anthony, and a large circle of relatives and friends. [*April 13, the date of his passing, was Roxann's 64 ^th Birthday.]

Don toiled in the workforce for 50 years, beginning at the age of 15 cooking with Alb and Ned Payne in Tommy's Arm. Throughout that half-century, among other jobs, he worked longer-term as a dump truck driver with W. J. Lundrigan's Ltd. , a underground miner at Gull Pond with Gullbridge Mines and in Buchans with ASARCO , and operator of Bragg's Ultramar in Pilley's Island. He and Ruby strived constantly and diligently to raise their four children, all of whom graduated from post-secondary institutions. He loved them dearly and was very proud of their skill-sets and accomplishments. That affection and support carried over to his grandchildren and entire extended family.

Wit and humour were two of his most notable character traits. Growing up in Pilley's Island, he was an excellent soccer (football) player, and the fastest skater on "The Rock". He attended the United Church. When in his twenties, he joined the Loyal Orangemen's Lodge .  In 1966, he drove the first car across Flat Rock Tickle Causeway! And, he was a superb "Sharpener of Knives"! At the time of his passing, he was the oldest resident of Pilley's Island.

A lot of water has flowed under the Bar Bridge since 1951 when Don and Ruby first went "Sittin' On The Rail". May he Rest In Peace "Until We Meet Again".

A Celebration of Life and Thanksgiving Service was held at 2:00 pm, 16 April 2023, at the Robert's Arm - Pilley's Island Citadel . The interment was at The Pilley's Island Cemetery. Pallbearers were Michael Clarke, Shawn Haye, Mike Lahey, William Davis, Jamie Bragg, and Jordan Budgell. Honorary Pallbearers were Danny Gill, Roy Anthony, and Jeremy Bragg. Officiating Clergy: Lieut. Colonel Sandra Rice.Funeral arrangements were trusted to Harry Oxford and Andrea Cole of Green Bay Funeral Home, Springdale, NL.

The funeral service was live-streamed from Roxann Dennis Gill Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Don's Memory may be made to the Pilley's Island Heritage Society . E-transfers can be sent to pilleysislandtrail@gmail.com or you can mail to:

The Pilley's Island Heritage Society
P.O. Box 124
Pilley's Island, NL, Canada
A0J 1M0

Thank you sincerely to those who have remembered the family in prayer, and assisted in anyway, during recent months, especially Continuing Care Nurse Amy Wiseman of Robert's Arm, Dr. Matthew Verge of St. John's, and his Homecare Workers; may God richly bless you all.

"To well loved to ever be forgotten"