DANIEL (DAN) ALLAN HEPNER

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DANIEL (DAN) ALLAN HEPNER
February 21, 1952 - February 1, 2022

It is with great sadness that I announce the peaceful passing of my beloved husband, best friend and soul mate, Dan, on February 1, 2022, in Nanaimo, BC. Dan had the opportunity to live the last five years of his life in what he described as "the most beautiful place on earth." Although Dan was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2017, he continued to live his life with courage and dignity.
Dan was the youngest of five brothers and two sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary Hepner, brothers, John (Jackie), Bill (Susan), Tony (Monique), sister Jane (Sterling) Smith, brother-in-law George Sowa and in-laws, Clifford and Marjorie Sutherland.
Dan is lovingly remembered by his wife Carol, his brothers, Gordon (Kathy), Tom (Ruth), sister Irene Sowa, brothers-in-law, Larry (Candice) and Allan Sutherland. He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
After attending university, Dan and his brother Tom established T & D Delivery, a courier company which serviced Winnipeg. After Tom departed the business, Dan continued to operate the company for over 30 years until he retired in December 2016. Dan's professionalism, integrity and reliability earned him many referrals from his clients, guaranteeing the success of his business.
Dan and Carol were married on August 21, 1993. As a couple they loved their yearly golf vacations to Mexico and Las Vegas. Once golf season opened in Manitoba, they could be found playing a round or two every weekend. Family and friends were very important to Dan. He always enjoyed socializing over golf, Winnipeg Jets games, dinners, tea and good conversation. Dan was passionate about learning from a young age. He loved to read and he was particularly knowledgeable about astronomy. In January 2017, Dan and Carol retired to Nanaimo, BC. Once settled they began visiting and walking the many beautiful trails and parks throughout Vancouver Island. They also participated in golf, lawn bowling and were year-round gardeners. Dan also took courses through Vancouver Island University Elder College.
After his father passed away in 1982, Dan regularly visited his mother to ensure she was always well cared for until her passing in 2004. He enjoyed reading to the visually impaired through a Winnipeg CNIB program and was a regular blood donor. Dan also volunteered with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Winnipeg Chapter). In 2001, a daughter of dear friends who had Cystic Fibrosis needed a lung transplant. A living donor operation was the only option to extend her life. Dan agreed to be one of the donors for this surgery. In a final act of kindness, at his passing Dan donated his eyes to the Eye Bank of British Columbia.
As per Dan's wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral services. As a final request, please give the gift of life and sign an organ/tissue donor card.

Dan, You will always be in my heart and forever be my soul mate. Thank you for the best years of my life. I will love and miss you forever. Love, Carol

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 19, 2022