PUTTICK: With broken hearts and deep sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Donavon Andrew Puttick who lost his battle with mental illness on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the age of 16 years.

Born October 17, 2005 in Melfort, SK, youngest son to Barbara Puttick and Lawrence Buhay Jr and brother to Ashton Puttick and Gwenyth Campbell, Donavon brought a special light and energy everywhere he went. His personality was bigger than life and even at a young age, his unique wit began to shine. Moving to Moose Jaw in 2010, Donavon began school and attended King George Elementary through his elementary years. He developed several deep friendships that he still held to this day, but none quite so dear to him as Oakley Mengel and Mackenzie Hills-Craig, standing by him through all the years and being there for him even in his darkest moments.

Donavon adored his older brother Ashton and tried almost every sport that Ashton played through the years, but the day he kicked his first soccer ball he was hooked. He played many years of soccer and futsal with JJ Soccer and made great friends and memories. Donavon’s interest in soccer and other things began to wane shortly before he began high school, as his inner struggles grew and became more difficult. Even as he battled anxiety and depression, Donavon had a special sense of humour and a way of making people feel blessed to know him.

Relocating to Brandon in 2021, Donavon began attending Vincent Massey. Despite the difficulties of the pandemic and restrictions, he started to make new connections. He was quickly building a bond with his step siblings and the weekends and activities he got to spend with them brought an energy and light back to his eyes that his mother had missed so much. He enjoyed spending time doing “guy” things with his stepfather, Dave. From learning new skills in the woodshop, to grinding meat and making their own sausages and burgers. Favourite pastimes with his mom were lunches out to get a break from the school day, junk food movie nights, walks through the trails near their home, and the occasional board game or puzzle. Donavon enjoyed the peace of a walk with his dog, or sitting on a bench on the hill, overlooking the city. Fishing with Grandpa Steve, camping with Baba and Grandpa Howard, skiing or balloon twisting with Grandma Maggie, gaming with his friends; Donavon’s passing will leave no shortage of memories, love, and sadness.

May we all take solace with faith that Donavon has finally found the peace he was unable to find in his journey here.

Forever 16, Donavon will be deeply missed and always cherished by his mother Barbara Ann Puttick; devoted stepfather David Wiebe; siblings Ashton Jeremy Puttick (niece Nova) and Gwenyth Campbell (niece Sophie); step siblings Gracen and Sawyer Wiebe; grandparents Steven and Margaret Puttick, Howard and Marilyn Banman, Lawrence Buhay Sr, Norm and Ollie Wiebe; aunts and uncles Stephanie (Jesse) Anderson, Kadin (Nicky) Thorn, Valerie Puttick, Greg Puttick, Katie Puttick, Tabitha (Leon) Buhay, Jon-Luc (Sara) Gerski, Darlene (Dan) Lafave, Cam (April) Wiebe; cousins and step cousins Kale, Lizzie, and Brook Janzen, Braiden Anderson, Lyra Thorn, Zach and Austin Lafave, Chase and Kaden Wiebe; a very large extended family and his network of close friends. He was predeceased by his father Lawrence Buhay Jr.

Donations in memory of Donavon may be made to One At A Time Rescue Inc., PO Box 668, Virden, MB, R0M 2C0 or the Child and Adolescent Treatment Centre (attention Jill Brown), 1240 – 10^th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 7L6 for the Crisis Stabilization Unit.

You are invited to join the family on Monday, November 29, 2021 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a Time of Visitation at Fedusiak Funeral Chapel, where you will be welcome to write a message of love on the casket. The Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Melfort Evangelical Covenant Church, Melfort, SK.  The Funeral Service will be live streamed. To watch the service please visit www.fedusiakfuneralchapel.com and go to Donovan’s obituary page and click on the link.

All who knew Donavon, know he loved and lived in his hoodies/bunny hugs. In honour of this, we ask that everyone “Don” their favourite hoody or bunny hug for the funeral as we celebrate Donavon’s life and say our goodbyes.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com or www.fedusiakfuneral.com.

• Date : 2021-11-18
• Location : Melfort, SK