DOUGLAS IVAN GERALD REESE

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DOUGLAS IVAN GERALD REESE After a sudden and brief illness, courageously fought, Douglas Ivan Gerald Reese of Sandy Hook, MB died June 20, 2011 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, MB, at the age of 71, with his family by his side. He was predeceased by his father Otto Dietrich Reese; mother Ethel Reese; brothers Edwin, Vernon (Norma), George, Elmer (Olive); sister Dortha; brothers-in-law James Alderson and Donald Garton; father-in-law John Buck, and mother-in-law Emily Buck. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Joan (nee Buck); daughters Kimberley (James) Treller, Jennifer (Todd De Ryek) Reese; granddaughter Kassandra Black (Treller), sisters Agnes Alderson (Tim) and Muriel Garton (Don); sisters-in-law Evelyn (George) Reese and Marlene (Elmer Reese) Kilmury; brothers-in-law Bob (Rose) Buck and Tim Buck as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was born in Gilbert Plains, MB on December 22, 1939 the youngest of eight children to Otto and Ethel Reese and grew up on a family farm just outside of town. He attended school and high school in Gilbert Plains until 16 years of age when he left home to work up north for the Hudson's Bay Company. He also worked as a butcher/meat packer for Brandon Packers as well as a butcher/grocer for Red River Co-op in Winnipeg and Stonewall. It was in Stonewall where he met Joan Buck on a blind date on April Fool's Day 1962. They fell in love and married August 3, 1963. They had two children, daughters Kimberley born in 1964 and Jennifer born in 1969. In 1964 Doug began his long career as a Corrections Officer starting in Stony Mountain Penitentiary then Rockwood Institute. Doug and Joan built their own house in Stonewall in 1966. In 1973 Doug and Joan bought a farm in Balmoral, MB where they lived and farmed until 1995. Doug retired from Rockwood Institute in 1994. In 1995 Doug and Joan sold the farm and moved to Sandy Hook where they both resided until his recent death. Doug was always an active person and could not stay retired for long. He worked at Formworks in Gimli from 1996 to 2009. Over the years, Doug once belonged to the Curling Clubs in Stonewall, Balmoral and Gimli, the Stonewall Bowling League, the Balmoral Equestrian Club and the Golf Club in Sandy Hook. Doug volunteered in the communities he lived in at various functions and was a past member of the Gimli Kiwanis Club. Doug enjoyed photography, travelling and winemaking. He took his family on many yearly motor camping trips across Canada, the Yukon, Alaska, the US and Mexico. He was fondly called MacGyver by family and could be found most often in his workshop inventing tools, repairing machinery or building furniture. Doug was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, fishing, boating and hunting. The highlight of his year was the annual weekly Deer Hunting Trip at the Breed'Um Lodge in Riding Mountain Park at Tom Conroy's place where he went with his friends over the years; the late Reginald Coburn and his son Ryan, the late Michael Korolyk, his late brother Elmer, friend Paul and others who have come and gone. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful doctors, caregivers and staff at Health Sciences Centre Emergency, GA4 and GA5 as well as the doctors, caregivers, ambulance attendants and staff at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli for the excellent care Doug received. A special thank you goes out to neighbours Eric and Carol. Cremation has occurred; his ashes to be spread in a beautiful spot in nature privately with the immediate family at a future time. Doug's Celebration of Life and lunch will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Stonewall Legion. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to CancerCare Manitoba or a charity of your choice. In Doug's words: Death is Natural No Need For Tears. So Smile, Now That's Better! MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2011