DAMIEN THOMAS LEE KIRKNESS

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DAMIEN THOMAS LEE KIRKNESS On Thursday, August 24, 2006 Damien Thomas Lee Kirkness was taken into the arms of Jesus at the untimely age of 17 years. His passing has left a void in the lives of so many people, especially his father Gabriel Bruce and his foster dad, Steven Melville, who Damien lived with since the age of five. He will also be missed by his great-grandmother Elizabeth Bruce; his sisters, Kaylee McDonald, Kylee McDonald and Shaelin Atkinson, grandfather Lawrence Kirkness; aunts, Geraldine Bruce, Lorraine McInnes, Edna Kirkness and Shirley Kirkness; uncles, Clarence Bruce, Calvin Bruce and Gerald Bruce. He is also survived by his great-aunts, Shirley Rintoul, Sarah Donovan (John), Myrtle Sanderson (Rene), Libby Bruce (Van Chien), Lucy Bruce and Pearl Bruce (Chester); great-uncles, Wallace Bruce and Percy Bruce; his special friend Rochelle Murdoch; his best friend Harley Chartrand, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Damien will also be profoundly missed by Steven's family - the Craigs, especially his Grandma Dona Craig. Also his Uncle Ian, Auntie Carole and cousins, David, Matthew (Andrea) and their son Andrew, as well as his Godmother and Auntie Ruth-Anne, his cousins, Daniel and Cameron, and his stepbrother Bryce Anderson. Damien was born on August 12, 1989 in Winnipeg, MB. He attended John M. King Elementary School, Sargent Park, Cecil Rhodes and Daniel McIntyre Collegiate. In his short life he lived every minute, always full of life and on the go. He possessed an outgoing nature and made friends easily, as witnessed by the immense support and concern shown by his community following his death. His mischievous smile was infectious. He loved music and photography, a career he was hoping to pursue. Above all, he was a gifted athlete, excelling in several sports. He was especially fond of playing soccer, basketball, and hockey and was a welcome asset to the many teams he played for over the years. One of his favourite hockey coaches described him as one of the most disciplined players playing positional hockey, establishing himself as the strongest player on the puck. His Howitzer has left many a goaltender shaking in their skates. When Damien steps on the ice, it's time for business . Damien was predeceased by his devoted mother, Wendy Kirkness, grandmother Doreen Bruce, great-grandfather Stanley Cameron, great-aunt Clara Bruce and great-uncles, Rupert Beardy, John Beardy and Wilfred Beardy. Other ancestors who passed away before him are Aunt Laura Bruce, Uncle Lawrence Beardy, Aunt Linda Raven, Uncle Michael Bruce and his cousins, Tyler Kirkness, Amy Thomas and most recently Michael Thomas. The families wish to thank their many friends and neighbours for their support, as well as those who served as mentors and coaches to Damien over the years. Above all, we wish to thank Elden Siemens (New Directions), social worker and friend, one of Damien's strongest supports. Words cannot describe how grateful we are that Damien had Elden in his life for so many years. A traditional Aboriginal wake will take place from 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 28 to 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 29 at the Aboriginal Funeral Chapel, 724 Selkirk Ave. Funeral services will commence at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 29. Fr. Jim Draper of All Saints Anglican Church will officiate the ceremony. Pallbearers will be Gerald Bruce, Justin Bruce, Christopher Bruce, Elden Siemens, Cameron Craig and Harley Chartrand. Aboriginal Funeral Chapel 724 Selkirk Ave. 586-7700

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 27, 2006