We regret to advise of the death of Major Donald Ross Cleveland, MBA, BSc Mil, (Ret’d) on 18 March 2016 at age 93 in Dartmouth General Hospital after a brief illness.
Born in Montreal, Don attended Westmount High School and joined the Royal Canadian Engineers as a boy in 1938. He later attended the Royal Military College and graduated in 1942. On leaving RMC, he embarked for England where he served for six months before arriving in 1 Canadian Corps Troops Headquarters in Italy in October 1944, during the Gothic Line actions. He also served in 9th Field Park Company during the Italian Campaign and returned to 1 Canadian Corps Troops Headquarters as they joined the battle in Northwest Europe. Upon returning to Canada in 1945, Don transferred to the Militia - retiring in 1954 as a Major.
After the war, Don obtained an MBA from Harvard University in 1947 and then launched his business and entrepreneurial careers. He first worked as executive assistant to the Presidents of Domtar (1947-50) and Ford Canada (1950-52). He was then president or managing director of Fleet Aircraft (1952-55), Greenbelt Development (1955-57), Atlantic Veneers (1958-60), Richardson Construction (1954-60), Marine Service & Contracting (1954-60), Newfoundland Transportation & Transit (1954-58), Great West Saddlery (1960-70) and Bouygues Offshore Canada (1986-88). Don worked for investors as a Turnaround Consultant (1988 -2012) to rescue companies in trouble. He was president of his own consulting firms Professional Directors Inc (1968-2007) and Don Cleveland Associates (2007-2016). His latest, and unfinished project, was a venture with the Province of Nova Scotia to set up a volunteer mentorship program to help new businesses succeed.
Keenly supportive of education, Don lectured on business administration at universities and colleges in Ontario and Nova Scotia.. He was a governor at the University College of Cape Breton 2001–06.
Don was a long-time member of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, and he particularly enjoyed his membership in the Halifax Club.
At Don's request, he has been cremated and there will be no funeral service. Don's ashes will be buried at sea. Donations can be made in Don's memory to Autism Canada. Online condolences may be viewed or sent to: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com. {khMay2016}
