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DONALD SPITZNAGEL

DONALD GEOFFREY SPITZNAGEL October 23, 1964 June 13, 2012 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Donald Geoffrey Spitznagel at St. Boniface Hospital on June 13, 2012. Don will be sadly missed by his partner Angelena (Angie) Foley who was by his side everyday through his valiant battle with cancer, Angie's son Jordon, by his devoted parents, Leonard and Sophi, his brother David and the center of his universe, his loving son Jacob. Don was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and moved to Winnipeg in 1980 with his parents and brother where he finished high school at Fort Richmond Collegiate and graduated from the Faculty of Engineering (Computer) at the University of Manitoba. Don had an incredible career as a software engineer, traveling to many countries around the world. His travels and exposure to other cultures made him sensitive to, and passionate about the plight of others around the globe. Don will be remembered for his love of all things hockey (floor hockey, ice hockey, collecting hockey cards and pucks, and of course The Jets) which was marked by his ownership of Breakaway Cards with his dearest friends, Ken, Ray, and his brother David. Don was also a devoted fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and never missed watching a game on TV. Those closest to Don admired his devotion to his son and his commitment to being the best father he could be. Don had endless patience and never missed an opportunity to give Jacob the greatest gift a father can give, his time. Don was happiest coaching Jacob and his Lightning teammates, biking in the park, or just doing whatever Jacob wanted to do. Don also loved spending time with Angie puttering in the yard, doing projects and making their house a home. We would like to thank the many friends and family who rallied around Don in his battle with cancer, especially Angie's family, Jan and Greg, and Judy and Joe who provided unending support while Angie and Don were in Los Angeles, her son Jordon, parents Rob and Joyce Gartner, and sister Cara and husband Robin. Don is survived by aunts and uncles Bob and Judy Spitznagel, Anne and Doug Liscum, Wilf and Adele Betts, Emil and Heather Zapotoczny, Olga Buss and his cousins Cathy, Corrine, Tim, Cory (Jennifer), Melanie (Ravi), Randy (Michelle), Darlene, Cheryl, Mike, Noel (Carla), Nicole, Brian and Barry. Special thanks to the Tuxedo Lightning Hockey family, management and staff at KORE, and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital. Don touched many peoples' lives and will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada online at www.colorectal-cancer.ca, or by mail at 60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 204, Toronto, Ontario. Memorial services will be held at Thomson In The Park on Wednesday, June 20 at 2:00 p.m. THOMSON IN THE PARK 925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on June 16, 2012

Guest Book(9 entries)

  • It is true, Donald traveled to many countries around the world. I am from Peru and I had the opportunity to worked with him in several projects around Latin America countries. Don was a good professional but the most important, he was an excelent person, ready to help and colaborate at any time. Descanza en paz amigo.
    - Posted by: Ricardo Maggi (Amigo (Friend)) on: Aug 30, 2012
  • I was so sad to know Donnie was ill a time back and have kept him in my prayers during his illness. Donnie It seems so unfair that death should have the power to take away someone you love. The loss of Donnie will certainly leave us all with an emptiness.I am unable to attend Donnie's memorial but when I read his obituary...tears beyond tears came as I remember Donnie as always being so polite, so calm and always, always with a smile...I don't believe there was a grumpy bone in his body! He was a very humble and kind soul. I send my heartfelt condolences and continue to have hope that 'He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.' Isaiah 25:8 To all of Donnie's loved ones..the Scriptures indicate that it is possible to be reunited with our dead loved ones in the near future, not in an unknown heaven but right here on earth under peaceful, righteous conditions. Jesus made this promise in John 5:21, 28, 29. Can we really believe the resurrection promise? Yes! And, we will see Donnie again as he was a good and kind son and loving father...he is Jehovah God's book of memory. Take courage and have hope..Jehovah has "furnished a guarantee to all men in that he has resurected him from the dead". Acts 17:31
    - Posted by: Heather Zapotoczny (Aunt) on: Jun 20, 2012
  • I enjoyed the time sharing with Don at work and the beer and snacks time after work in the few occasions we met. I learnt a lot from you. RIP Don, you will be missed
    - Posted by: Daniel To (Colleague at KORE) on: Jun 20, 2012
  • I was fortunate enough to have Don work for me while he was at EISI. Along with his intensely sarcastic sense of humor, I knew him as fiercely loyal to those he cared about: his friends, his coworkers and his customers, but most of all to Jake and Angie. To all those who mourn his passing: take heart in that he has left each and everyone of us a better person for knowing him. Don, I'll miss our games at Triple B's.
    - Posted by: Ken Denman (former boss) on: Jun 19, 2012
  • RIP Don. You will be missed.
    - Posted by: Noel Zapotoczny (Cousin) on: Jun 19, 2012
  • Don is a family oriented boss. When I had family issues, such as, kids were sick, daycare events or emergency, he always let me take care of family first. Allow me to work from home or make up time later.
    - Posted by: Chunsheng Yu (Co-worker) on: Jun 18, 2012
  • My 3 years working under Don's directorship can not be compared to any other positions I ever been. Don was a very good boss, always ready to listen, a very liberal manager and always ready to fight and protect his subordinates. Don, you're gone but you are leaving with us great memories. May your soul rest in perfect peace of your Maker.
    - Posted by: Temitope Otubusen (TA) (Colleague at KORE) on: Jun 18, 2012
  • My memories of Don are from the Love of Hockey that we shared with Ken and Ray that manifested itself in hockey pools we all did each spring and fall with out fail for the last 28 years. Don will truly be missed.
    - Posted by: Dave Render (Friend) on: Jun 18, 2012
  • Many of my best memories involve Don; road trips to the NHL draft and Stanley Cup final in Minnesota, World Juniors in Grand Forks, Canada Day in Ottawa, and of course the fun we had with Breakaway Cards. He'll truly be missed.
    - Posted by: Ray Gutnick (Friend) on: Jun 17, 2012

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