DOUGLAS JOHN CANNELL

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DOUGLAS JOHN CANNELL November 7, 1924 - April 29, 2004 With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Douglas John Cannell on April 29, 2004. He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughters Jan and Andrea; son Drew; granddaughter Brieland; and his sister May Anderson of Denver. Doug was born in 1924 and grew up in St. James, where he attended St. James Collegiate. He earned a degree in Architecture at the University of Manitoba in 1949, and was active on the basketball team, later becoming the president of the Greater Winnipeg Senior Basketball League. In 1950, he married Barbara Halls and they built the home where they raised their children and entertained their many friends for the next 53 years. Doug was President of Proplan Construction Services, Ltd., the firm that managed the Winnipeg Arena expansion and project manager for the North Portage Residential Complex among many other landmarks in Winnipeg. In many ways, Doug was a Renaissance man with many talents and interests. He was an avid duck hunter and was a founding member of the Winnipeg Trap & Skeet Club. He was a pilot. He was a certified scuba diver. And he was a gifted amateur archaeologist and student of Mayan culture about which he gave many lectures. In 1983, he discovered and opened, at Rio Azul, Guatemala, a Mayan tomb that received feature treatment in National Geographic magazine. He was the founder of the Archaeological Society of America, Winnipeg Chapter. Doug was a Life Master in bridge. He was the president of the Manitoba Bridge Federation and later the president of the Canadian Bridge Federation. He was responsible for bringing the Omar Sharif Bridge Circus to Manitoba. In his seventies, he learned how to use a computer and played tournament bridge on the Internet. He had a passion for jazz. He was the founding president of Jazz Winnipeg, Inc. Festival, which he helped to develop before jazz regained its current popularity. Doug was also a friend and mentor to many jazz musicians. Doug took a keen interest in politics and was a lifelong Tory, serving the Progressive Conservative party in many offices and volunteer positions. He served on the Manitoba Government Public Schools Finance Board. Doug Cannell was a remarkable man who was loved and will be missed by his family and many friends. A service commemorating his life will be held on Wednesday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m. in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Winnserve, Inc. Community Residence at 101-960 Portage Avenue. THOMSON Funeral Chapels - 669 Broadway - 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 02, 2004