Memorable Manitobans: John Donald “Don” Comstock (1927-2012)

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John Donald Comstock
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Journalist, public relations officer.

Born at Winnipeg on 1 June 1927, the youngest of four children of John Vernon Comstock (c1889-1961) and Imelda Charlotte Senecal (c1890-1970), he graduated from St. James Collegiate in 1945 then, after working briefly at the Eaton’s department store, began working as a journalist at the Winnipeg Tribune. He then became a public relations officer for Manitoba Hydro, working there over 30 years until retirement in 1983. He initiated its employee newsletter, Hydrogram.

An active member of the Winnipeg Press Club, he wrote, directed and performed in its annual Beer and Skits show, and served as its President in 1971. He amassed a considerable archive of materials from its functions through the years. In 1976, he received its Zim Award. He also served on the Promotion Council of the Manitoba Centennial Corporation.

In 1961, he married Diana Dawne Krywonis (1932-2015) and they had two daughters.

He died at Winnipeg on 8 August 2012.

Sources:

Obituary [John Vernon Comstock], Winnipeg Free Press, 17 April 1961, page 25.

Obituary [Imelda Charlotte Comstock], Winnipeg Free Press, 25 August 1970, page 26.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 11 August 2012.

Obituary [Diana Dawne Comstock], Winnipeg Free Press, 18 January 2015.

We thank Wendy Hart for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 1 December 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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