DOUGLAS MILES SIMPSON

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DOUGLAS MILES SIMPSON June 8, 1929 - July 5, 2013 Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Neighbour and Friend With his family at his side Douglas Miles, beloved and devoted husband of Olive Marie (nee Locke), passed away on July 5, 2013 at the age of 84. Predeceased by his parents Arthur and Florence (nee Knight), daughter Debra McLean, infant son David and infant grandson Eric Krawetz. Douglas is survived and will be fondly missed by his eldest son Gary (Adrienne), daughter Cathy (Russ) Krawetz, youngest son Blair, and son-in-law Garry McLean. His affection and love was immense for his grandchildren Kristin McLean (Jim), Rebecca (Kory) Matheson, Melissa Krawetz (Ben), Nicholas Krawetz, Gary Simpson Jr. (Celleste), and Sean Simpson (Kaileen), as well as his three great-grandchildren McKenna McLean-Gibbons, Myla Simpson, and Rowan Matheson. Douglas was very proud of all his family and their accomplishments. Born in Shoal Lake, MB, his family moved to Winnipeg in the early 1930s to Woodhaven in St. James where Douglas grew up and attended school. In 1952, he married the love of his life, Marie and moved to Transcona to raise a family. Doug and Marie celebrated nearly 59 years of marriage and demonstrated their devotion to each other at all times. Douglas worked at the Canadian Pacific Railway for 41 years in the downtown Winnipeg office, primarily as an Accountant in the Treasury Department. During his 26 years of retirement Doug enjoyed the simple things in life, which included meticulously maintaining his house, yard and tomato plants as well as cottage visits to Belair and Poplar Bay. Doug's obsession with neatness and keeping everything in its place was legendary. He also liked to reminisce about growing up in Woodhaven and summers spent riding the train to Grand Beach with his best friend Doug (Glady) Marriott. He often reflected about the family car trips with seven passengers and family pet through the British Columbia mountains to visit relatives on the west coast and the joys of setting up camp along the way in a tent-trailer. Doug was a creature of habit as he enjoyed his daily ritual of drinking morning coffees, studying the newspaper and watching CTV News. For those that knew and would come to meet him, one could see that it came natural to Doug to strike up conversations with his neighbours, especially Bob (Rose) Kouk, and anyone else willing to engage. Telling stories and jokes were often conversation starters. Later on in life, Dad became his wife's caregiver due to her illnesses, which eventually contributed to some health issues of his own. Following Marie's passing in June 2011, Dad came to live with his daughter Cathy (Russ) and family where he focused on a better quality of life. The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Grace, Dr. Reda, Dr. Duerksen and Dr. Pat Harris as well as the nurses and medical staff at Concordia Hospital for their care and compassion for Douglas. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. for family and friends. Although flowers are graciously declined, donations would be greatly appreciated to Canadian Cancer Society or CancerCare Manitoba. Arrangements made by Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2013