The Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Donald "Don" Rieland, a cherished member of our rugby family. Known for his speed, agility, and community spirit, Don left an indelible mark on the field.

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Jeff Lombard, a close friend, and former teammate, shared heartfelt memories of Don:
“Donny and I opened International Athletic together in 1979 and were partners till 1984. Donny was a great winger, very fast, and a deadly tackler. He is famous for popping the rugby ball off his thigh at a full sprint over the head of his opponent and catching and running in for a try. I last saw him at the CBAA 50th Anniversary, eating BBQ oysters and enjoying the reunion.”

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Neil Gardner, another longtime teammate, added:
“Don was one of the original fast guys from Chuckanut! He toured in 1980 with the club.”

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The Chuckanut community remembers Don as a kind and generous individual whose spirit truly embodied the values of rugby. To read more about Don’s life, please visit his obituary.

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Our thoughts are with Don’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be held on December 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The United Church of Ferndale.