Advanced Search:


Regular Search
❮ Go Back to Listings

DONALD MCKENZIE ROTHNEY

Born: May 12, 1916

Date of Passing: Apr 18, 2004

Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DONALD MCKENZIE ROTHNEY Peacefully, in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 18, 2004, Don Rothney passed away surrounded by his family. Don was born on May 12, 1916 in Hamiota, MB, the youngest child of Scottish immigrants, Isabella McKenzie and William Rothney from the town of Crimond. He grew up in Oak River with his three older sisters and was forever proud of his Scottish heritage. Those young years spent helping his father on the farm were the foundation for his strong character and provided the basis for many stories and retold experiences. In 1938 he left the farm and followed his sisters to the big city of Winnipeg. Don met and married Evelyn Thorne in 1943, while they were working at the John Deere Plough Company. After only twelve years of marriage, Don was widowed and left to care for his two young sons. In 1959 Don married Doris Malby and was blessed with the birth of his third son. They raised their family in the Westwood area for the next twenty-three years until Doris death in 1982. Don had a successful and rewarding thirty-five year career in sales and management with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He is remembered for his commitment to service and his sincere concern for his customers well being. Dons retirement from Metropolitan Life allowed him to begin his second "career" as an avid golfer, often playing thirty-six holes in a day. His golfing achievements at the St. Charles Golf and Country Club included; beating his age in strokes; a hole in one; completing fifty-four holes in one day in his late seventies; and an accumulation of many trophies in the senior division. The St. Charles was his home away from home from the first sign of green grass past the first snowfall. He valued the fellowship as well as the game. Don delighted us all with his endless repertoire of stories and jokes, his quick wit and his positive outlook on life. He was a proud and independent man whose love for golf was only surpassed by his love for family and friends. Throughout his life he maintained a keen interest in business matters and world events. Don remained active through the last year of his life, golfing this past summer, enjoying family dinner parties and a good bottle of scotch, as well as spending this past Christmas in Mexico with his youngest son and family. Don will be lovingly remembered by his sons and daughters-in-law, David and Sylvia, Peter and Pat, and Bruce and Lisa; his grandchildren, Marla Cumming (Mike), Christian (Shannon Gage), Janet, Kimberly, Katelyn, Stephanie and Mackenzie; by his great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Nathaniel Cumming, and by his numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Evelyn in 1956 and his wife Doris in 1982, and by his sisters, Gladys Sparling, Jean MacKinnon and Alice Byers. A Service will be held at St. Johns Cathedral at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 24 followed by a reception at the St. Charles Golf and Country Club. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Grace General Hospital Foundation or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the Grace General Hospital third floor team and Dr. Donnelly for providing sensitive care during this time of need. Arrangements by Thomson Funeral Chapel, 783-7211.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2004

❮ Go Back to Listings