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DOUGLAS JOHN WOOLEY
Date of Passing: Sep 11, 2017
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryDOUGLAS JOHN WOOLEY Doug loathed the idea of a funeral following his death, but friends and family were invited to gather at the Silver Heights Restaurant, 2169 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. to toast his memory. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
Publish Date: Sep 23, 2017
DOUGLAS JOHN WOOLEY It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Douglas John Wooley on Monday, September 11, 2017 at the age of 69 years. Remaining to cherish Doug's memory are his children, Jennifer (Jason) and Chris (Sarah) and his five grandchildren, Lysander, Merrick, Callin, Annie and Madison. He will also be lovingly remembered by his brother Gordon (Gwen) and their children, Adrienne, Valerie and Blair; his sister Janice; his stepdaughter Carrie (Dean) Creighton and family, as well as cherished friend Jean Hodges. He was predeceased by his father Frank and mother Evelyn Wooley (nee Wood). Born and raised in Winnipeg, Doug attended St. James Collegiate. Following his graduation, he briefly moved to Vancouver and Whitehorse before returning to Winnipeg in the early 1970s and embarking on a fulfilling life in the foodservice industry. Over the better part of the following 40 years, Doug enjoyed an ownership stake in a variety of restaurants in Manitoba, most notably a span of some two decades as the Chicken Chef franchisee in Stonewall - but it was an opportunity in Vernon, BC in the early 1980s that provided Doug with the ultimate vision for his later years. An avid fan of golf and temperate climes, Vernon seemed to be the perfect place for Doug. From the moment he arrived, he knew that he had found his paradise. He eventually left Vernon to return to Manitoba, but always knew he would spend his retirement in the Okanagan. After settling in Stonewall, Doug immersed himself in the local community, joining the Chamber of Commerce and involving himself in every community initiative or fundraiser that was presented to him. He became a fixture at the Teulon Golf Club and spent countless hours spoiling long walks playing a game he loved. A devotee of James Patterson novels, two-dollar cribbage games and Clint Eastwood DVD boxed sets, Doug enjoyed prairie summers and begrudgingly tolerated its winters. Warm weather weekend getaways to Las Vegas or visits to his parents' Arizona retirement home were a regular winter event for Doug - who, amazingly, always seemed to have a small stash of US currency tucked in the corners of the sock drawer for just such an occurrence. Upon his retirement, Doug made good on his promise to move back to Vernon, thoroughly enjoying his time spent in the Okanagan - before health concerns prompted his return to Winnipeg. Doug loathed the idea of a funeral following his death, but friends and family are invited to gather at the Silver Heights Restaurant, 2169 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. to toast his memory. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. A special thank you from the family is sent to Bruce (Pat) McBeth for a lifetime of unwavering support and unfaltering friendship. We will be eternally grateful for the compassion, guidance and love you gave to Doug. In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to make a donation in Doug's name to Diabetes Canada. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematoriums, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com "He poured the perfect caesar and never overcooked a steak in his life. Doug's cutting wit and his zest for life will be missed by all who knew him."
Publish Date: Sep 16, 2017
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2017
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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I'm glad to be able to call you my friend. My Mom very much enjoyed you and your folk.s company as did my bros Glenn & Murray. Goodspeed my friend! - Posted by: Greg Marshall (Friend) on: Sep 29, 2017
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We haven't seen Doug in a long time but fondly remember good times when we lived on Lakeridge Road. Thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. - Posted by: Grace and Jack Gillespie (Friend) on: Sep 26, 2017
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Condolences to Doug's family (Gordon and Janice). We were neighbours on Parkview St. and went to school together. Doug's dad would always come to our house and my dad would cut his hair. I still remember the grad party at my house and Doug was there. He was a great guy and will be missed by many. Gay - Posted by: Gay Todd (Campbell) (Neighbour from Parkview St.) on: Sep 23, 2017
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I was very sad to hear this news, my condolences to the family & his close friends. I was one of many young people that Doug employed at Chicken Chef in Stonewall in the late 80's. From the outside you could see it was a very well maintained, busy restaurant popular for all ages, we even did some catering jobs! For those of us that worked with Doug, it was so much more than that. We were proud of the good service and good chicken, and great breakfasts and knowing so many of the customers by name. Although Doug was usually in the kitchen he would always make time to run out front for quick hello and joke around. You could hear his great laugh from quite a distance. Our little team became like a family, sharing our personal challenges and successes, and Doug would follow our interests and tease us about how hard it was to make the schedule around all our demands. He was a very big influence on me, he was very hard working but had such a great sense of humour. There was a few of us that he would trust to take care of things while he would get away on some rare but well-deserved golf vacations, and talk of his plans to retire in Vernon and it was so wonderful to see that transpire for him after he had encouraged so many of us to pursue our own goals as well. He always spoke very fondly of his kids, Jennifer and Chris and stepdaughter Carrie, so proud to follow their accomplishments. I enjoyed many visits with Doug at the restaurant after I had moved on to the travel industry, and I know several of my colleagues did the same when they were in town. We still wanted to go tell Doug when something exciting was happening, and he always made time for a quick chat. I am so grateful for everything he did for me, teaching me work responsibilities and making me feel important to give me confidence stepping on to other adventures; all while having so many great laughs. thanks for all the good memories! - Posted by: Amy (Harden) Losics (friend / former employee Stonewall) on: Sep 17, 2017
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Our deepest condolences to the Gordon, Gwen & Family and Janice. Doug is home with your Mom & Dad now. Take Care Keven & Terralee Seafoot - Posted by: Keven and Terralee Seafoot (Friends of the family) on: Sep 16, 2017
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I remember Doug well, we lived on the same street and both went to high school, he was always so nice, sorry to hear of his passing. - Posted by: Janis Fogg Gibson (high school) on: Sep 16, 2017
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I am sorry to hear of Doug's passing... we attended St. James Collegiate in the 60's but I really got to know him in Vancouver in the early 70's when he temporarily shared a basement suite with Bill & me... such fun we had! "Three's Company" in reverse! I remember countless "highly competitive" games of Hearts around our kitchen table & his wit & humor were unmatched... We lost touch after Doug relocated back to Winnipeg but I will always remember his handsome smile & caring ways. RIP Doug🙏 - Posted by: Carole Hobson (Corliss) (Old friend) on: Sep 16, 2017
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