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DONALD EDWARD (WAXY) WILES
Born: May 06, 1948
Date of Passing: Jan 14, 2022
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
DONALD EDWARD (WAXY) WILES
May 6, 1948 - January 14, 2022
"Those we love don't go away,
they walk beside us everyday."
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad and Grandpa Waxy.
Don is survived by his daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Mike; grandchildren, Matthew, Abby and Ella; son Adam and grandson Casey; siblings, Rick and sister-in-law Liz, Garry and sister-in-law Donna, Dorie and brother-in-law Brock and several nieces and nephews.
Donald Edward Wiles was born on May 6, 1948 to Marg and Ted Wiles. He was the oldest of four children. He grew up on Walker Avenue and went to Churchill High School. Don went to teacher's college after high school. He substituted for a bit and then took a job with the City of Winnipeg in the Parks and Rec and then Forestry divisions. Don was married to Pat Benjaminson for 12 years. They had two children together. Don enjoyed playing sports, including soccer and rugby. He also found a love for curling. He was an honourary lifetime member of the Fort Rouge Curling Club. Don was club president in 1991 to 1992. He was proud to wear the green jacket along with many of his other friends. He even won a Plymouth Cricket at the Charleswood car spiel and was a finalist at the provincial men's championship in 1976. Don earned the nickname Waxy from his curling buddies (due to his handlebar mustache that he sported in the 1970s.) It was through curling that Don made many cherished, lifelong friends. Don's friends were a huge part of his life. He was a very social, friendly guy. He could start up a conversation with anyone and he had an extremely easy going, positive attitude. Don rarely missed a coffee meeting at St. Vital mall with "the boys" where he said they would solve the world's problems. Don moved in with his good friend Bob Boughey in 1984. Boughey was an immense help to Don in his battle with cancer and his struggle through Alzheimer's. Two of Don's favourite things in the whole wide world were his grandchildren and Red Rock Lake. He absolutely loved watching them play sports and rarely missed a game, school concert or event. Don cherished his time spent at the cottage. It was his happy place. He loved having friends and family down to the lake. The more the merrier. Don hosted many Red Rock Lake Golf Classics where tons of friends would come for a weekend of golf, food and drinks. Don was a special guy who will truly be missed.
Due to COVID restrictions, there will not be a funeral service. A small family Celebration of Life will take place at the lake at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.
ejcoutu.ca
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 22, 2022
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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We are so sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was truly "one of the good guys." Don was always reserved and always had at least a small grin on his face if not a big smile. One of the highlights of our Christmas season was always the Wiles family coming to my parents home on Christmas Eve - made even more special when Don was with them. Our sincere condolences go out to all the family. - Posted by: Sandy and Sue Gibb (Second cousins) on: Jan 27, 2022
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Sincere condolences to your family in the loss of Don. My memories of him were when my husband Jim thought of him and Bob and Don as pups he curled with and against. We are blessed to have good memories of those we lose. Sincerely Carol Ursel. - Posted by: Carol Ursel (Friend) on: Jan 26, 2022
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Condolences to the family. Waxy was always a friendly face and very kind, with a great sense of humour. Sorry Boughey on the passing of Don. - Posted by: Karen Zapisocki (Fellow club member) on: Jan 24, 2022
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Our condolences to the friends and family of a fine person, Don "Waxy" Wiles. Our memories of Waxy include his competitive and joyful contribution to the U. of Manitoba Geography soccer team, his kind acceptance and bemused looks as we novice curlers tried our best in Saturday Fort Rouge curling gatherings, but most of all to his overall good cheer. - Posted by: Larry and MJ Stene (Friends) on: Jan 24, 2022
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Growing up just 3 houses away from Don, his 2 brothers Rick & Garry and their sister Dorie was amazing. I have so many great memories of time spent at 474 Walker Avenue with Don and his parents Ted and Marge and Gramma Birnie. Theirs was a big family that I was fortunate to be close to. If I remember correctly, both Don & Rick discovered the pitfalls of how not to use the wringer washer - both sported casts (autographed of course) for a few weeks. Ted used to take us all out for a car ride and we’d bounce around in the back seat like pinballs - seat belts? Never needed them. When Don & Rick got chicken pox my Mom sent me over so I could catch it too. The Wiles family was always so good to me - I didn’t understand it then, but they just loved having a full house with lots of love to share. Don came to Grand Beach on the train one summer with my Mom, Dad and I. That was a lot of fun - like having a brother for two weeks. I think it was around 1958 or so. I had the privilege of curling with Don and Bob for many seasons starting with the High School bonspiel in 1960. There were lots of fun times growing up at Ft Rouge - sparing for the Men’s league, hanging out at the cafeteria and getting chased by Paul Lucko when we got too loud playing mitt hockey. We travelled all over for spiels and we grew up together playing a game that we loved. And our teams generally did pretty well, winning more than we lost. Waxy was the first of many Ft Rouge curlers to get a nickname and his was probably the most accurate. His ‘stach was nicely waxed and actually looked pretty good. The rest of us got our nicknames after - Wally, Squak, TopCat, MadDog and of course Broph. Boughey’s came as a result of the caption I identifying him as “Len Brophy” in the photo when we won the cars. Waxy was indeed a great story teller - and there were so many great stories that he could remember in his special way. He would start out saying “Well you know, .....”. and soon we’d all be laughing. I sure wish that we could hear him tell us another one. Miss you Waxy. Wally - Posted by: Bill Walsh (Friend ) on: Jan 24, 2022
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Our condolences to the family on Don's passing. We have many fond memories of Waxy curling, at the lake and evenings out after soccer. A great guy, we'll cherish the memories. Tim and Daryl Sehn - Posted by: Tim (Friend) on: Jan 23, 2022
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Rick, so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Hold on to those memories. He will remain in your heart forever. Deepest sympathies to both you and Liz. - Posted by: Jennie Gusberti (Friend) on: Jan 22, 2022
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So sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was such an easy going and friendly guy. You never minded losing a curling game against him….and I did. Rest In Peace friend. - Posted by: Wayne Motheral (Curling friend) on: Jan 22, 2022
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Don and I spent several years together at Churchill High back in the sixties. He was an easy going likeable guy and most always wore a smile or a grin Some fond memories. God's peace to the family - Posted by: franc scarcella (High school friend) on: Jan 22, 2022