DOUGLAS COBB

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DOUGLAS COBB

February 8, 1929 - May 17, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our much loved husband, father and grandfather Douglas Cobb, who passed away at Oakview Place on May 17, 2023 at the age of 94.

He is survived by his dear wife of 51 years Mary; daughter Heather and son Murray, Jill Swirsky and grandson Charlie Cobb.

Douglas was predeceased by his brother Robert / Bob (2013), and his parents Edith (1959) and Charles (1967), both originally from London, England. He will be dearly missed by extended family and friends, including Bob’s wife Betty Cobb, Mary’s siblings Jean Enns, Helen Waugh and Al Zajac, and many nieces and nephews.

Doug was born in Winnipeg, and attended Earl Grey School and Kevin High School alongside his brother. They both enjoyed many sports, and shared happy memories of backyard hockey games at the house on Warsaw Ave. He studied to become a Chartered Accountant, and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba in 1953, having worked as a student with Dunwoody Saul Smith & Co from 1947. He began his career with Air Canada in 1955, where he was a loyal employee during 36 years of service.

In 1971, he married Mary Zajac, and together they moved to Montreal. They enjoyed many travels together, including visits to Bermuda, Brazil and Peru. While in Montreal, they welcomed daughter Heather and son Murray, and Doug was an amazing father to them both. He was kind, patient, and took a huge interest in what they were up to. He and Mary travelled with them often to visit grandparents in Winnipeg and Jean and family in Los Angeles – where he would spend hours playing tennis, baseball, and basketball with the kids while also treating them to Disneyland visits and Clippers and Lakers games. In 1984, the family moved back to Winnipeg.

Throughout these years, Doug was an avid tennis player. He played the Manitoba and Saskatchewan circuit for years and won many singles and doubles tournaments, including the U of M singles championship in 1950 and 1951. He continued winning tournaments in Pierrefonds and Dorval while in Montreal, and partnered with Art Foster to win the 1983 Senior National Championships title in doubles. His passion for tennis also included organising key events – he was President of Tennis Manitoba in 1964 and 1965, and was Drawmaster and Assistant Technical Chairman for the 1967 Pan American Games. When Winnipeg hosted the Davis Cup in 1970, Doug was the Committee Chairman. In recognition of these efforts, he was inducted as a Player/Builder into the Manitoba Tennis Hall of Fame in 2010. He continued to play into his 80s, and was last on court with his family in the summer of 2018.

Family was always a priority for him, and he took great pleasure in introducing Heather and Murray to tennis, and in supporting them in their sporting endeavours. He coached Heather’s soccer team for several years, and spent many hours in hockey arenas supporting Murray as he progressed through AAA and Junior Hockey. When he played for the McGill Redmen, Doug and Mary would often travel to Montreal to watch him play.

As a family, they were fortunate to enjoy many holidays together, with favourites including trips to the cottage at West Hawk Lake, visits to family in Los Angeles, and travel to parts of Europe including London, Amsterdam and Rome. This drove a huge interest in travel for both Heather and Murray, and when they moved abroad, Doug and Mary would visit regularly. Murray played professional hockey in Serbia – prompting several visits – and Heather continues to live in London.

In addition to his love of family and tennis, Doug was passionate about giving back. He supported countless charities, and actively volunteered his time for many years, managing the accounts for various AA and AAA hockey teams, school grad and band committees, the Friends of Bruce Park and the Manitoba Head Injury Association. When Mary suffered a serious car accident in 2011, Doug offered incredible care and support throughout her recovery, helping her to regain a large measure of independence.

In recent years, Doug took particular pleasure in spending time with grandson Charlie Eric, and would light up when he came to visit. He was a fantastic husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be gratefully made to a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Ann Torres from Home Care Assistance for her friendship and support over many years.

A reception to honour Doug’s life will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Thompson “In the Park” Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd, Winnipeg.

THOMSON “IN THE PARK”

204-925-1120

Obituary may also be viewed and

condolences may be sent to

www.thomsoninthepark.com

DOUGLAS COBB

February 8, 1929 - May 17, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our much loved husband, father and grandfather Douglas Cobb, who passed away at Oakview Place on May 17, 2023 at the age of 94.

A reception to honour Doug’s life will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Thompson “In the Park” Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd, Winnipeg.

A full obituary to follow on Saturday.

THOMSON “IN THE PARK”

204-925-1120

Obituary may also be viewed and

condolences may be sent to

www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 25, 2023, May 27, 2023