Teacher, coach, administrator, friend: Wells touched many

BY JOHN DECOSTE

Kings County Register

Family, friends and acquaintances are mourning the passing of Don Wells, a valued member of the Acadia University community who died June 27 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Wells was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer almost two years ago, but remained relatively active until a few weeks prior to his death at Valley Regional Hospital.

Director of Varsity Athletics Brian Heaney spoke for the Acadia athletic community when he suggested, “it’s a sad day for Don’s family, a sad day for the Valley and a sad day for Acadia and Acadia hockey. He will be long remembered as one of the greats in Acadia history.”

Even as his health failed, Wells “never relinquished his desire to be involved with Acadia athletics,” Heaney said. “He was always interested in the newest developments, and always ready with good advice.”

Wells had a 45-year association with Acadia that began with his arrival in Wolfville as a graduate student in the fall of 1964.

After a year playing for Major Fred Kelly’s hockey Axemen (during which he earned team MVP honours and the Orlay Bligh Trophy), Wells assumed the coaching reins as Kelly moved up to athletic director. Wells served as Acadia’s hockey coach for 19 seasons. He showed a knack for recruiting, including local players like Bill Boyd and Ron and Harvey Mapplebeck - to name just a few.

In 1985, Wells took over from the late James Bayer as Acadia’s athletic director, where he remained until 1998, presiding over an era of growth in Acadia athletics showcased by the opening of the new Acadia Arena. On the 20th anniversary of the arena, Wells felt its opening in 1988 was one of his crowning achievements.

Wells was a skilled hockey player, a successful and well-respected coach and a tireless administrator, both within the confines of Acadia and in representing the university regionally and nationally. Former players, many of whom kept in touch over the years, always included “looking up Coach Wells” on any of their trips to Wolfville.

Concern for Wells at the Acadia Hockey Celebrity Dinner June 25 illustrated those attending’s respect for Wells and all he had done for Acadia.

With all he accomplished in his career, Wells was still only 66 at the time of his death: he could have accomplished more had his health allowed.

It isn’t a stretch to suggest anyone who ever knew him has at least one “Don Wells story” - and likely more. There could be no better monument to Don than for those stories to continue to be told.