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GEORGE JOSEPH DESPINS
Born: Jan 01, 1929
Date of Passing: Jul 21, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGEORGE JOSEPH DESPINS
George passed peacefully in the early morning of July 21, 2026, at the Hamlets of Duncan in British Columbia.
Born on January 1, 1929, George was the first New Year's baby of Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his parents, Raoul and Antoinette Despins; his siblings, Clement, Bernard, Grace, Teresa, Marcel and Jerry; his daughter Barbara Ann Danylyshen; his first wife Dorothy Despins; and second wife Gwendoline Despins.
George is survived by his children, Gregory, Robert (Lucy), Todd (Louise), David (Pam), and Michele (Chris); 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was a gifted musician who sang and played multiple instruments, but was best known as the piano man and the King of Boogie Woogie. He claimed to have learned his Blues and Boogie melodies from Omar Williams who lived on his street when he was in his teens, paying him five cents to learn a song. George played by ear and could play any song after listening to it only once. He loved to entertain and was the mainstay of any get-together. Even in his later years, he still played fiddle with the Island Old Time Fiddlers and entertained his fellow residents on the piano at the Hamlets. In addition to his music, George was a gifted artist, skilled in drawing, signage, and painting.
In 1951, he married Dorothy Brady and together they raised their six children. George was a railway man, spending the majority of his career with the CPR. He started as a porter and quickly moved into telegraph services. The telegraph job took him and his family from Winnipeg to Port Arthur, then to Whitemouth, and finally to Gimli. In 1966, he accepted a job with CP Intermodal and moved back to Winnipeg. In 1981, he transferred to Saskatoon, where he eventually retired with CP Intermodal in 1986.
Retirement brought a move to Qualicum Beach, BC, where he chose island life for his remaining years. George was active in the Catholic Church as a member of the Knights of Columbus and the choir. His love of singing took him into musical theatre on Vancouver Island. His other joy in life was camping, and he made the evolution from tent to RV. George will best be remembered for his friendly smile, jovial nature, and bad "dad jokes".
George will fill the heavens with music.
A Celebration of Life is planned for August 21, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Owl Picnic Site in Kildonan Park, Winnipeg.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 01, 2026