Douglas McInnes

The service will be live streamed on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 11:00 am, please click on link to register and view the service: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=27ec8622-e10d-4359-96e5-5ee6105cc179

Peacefully at his home, Douglas “Doug” McInnes passed away surrounded in love on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at the age of 85 years.

He leaves to mourn his children: Debbie (Ken), Patty (Brad), Danny (Edie), David (Valerie) and step-children: Roxy, Robbie (Joni).  Almost too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to list, but we’d be in trouble if we didn’t!! Breeana (Brad), Hudson, Archer, Graeme; Nathan (Robyn), Emmersyn, Atley, Mabel; Lindsay (Kevin), Riley, Stella; Landon (Kirby), Monroe, Fallon, Ledger; Dustin, Haley, Cole; Kaitlyn (Derek), Hanna, Tenille; Mary, Vincent; Jesse (Rhonda), Kade, Maddox; Karley; Del, brothers Peter and John (Judy) McInnes  and sister Margaret Ann Walker, as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by: his loving partner Bernice Maxwell, parents Peggy and William McInnes, sisters Bella Pernarowski and Kathy Black, and sister-in-law Doris McInnes.

Doug was born on August 28, 1937 in Sioux Lookout, Ontario and attended school to Grade 8.  But hey, Dad took his GED and passed with a double side of chicken scratch study notes!    He started Grade 9 and quit to work for Radar Station Pine Tree Line. He was also Call Boy for CN as there were no telephones, because he was old! Dad would go knock on the door of the running crews to get them to come to work.  And sometimes, Forestry came along and commandeered Dad to fight a fire. Next stop was the Canadian Armed Forces. He was recruited at 16 but the age requirement was 17. And  there lies the 1936/1937 birth date dilemma throughout time!  Then he headed to Camp Borden for trades school as an Air Frame Technician. Doug was stationed in Portage la Prairie and it was here he married and started a family with Ilien. In 1959 with a new born and toddler in tow, they took the voyage overseas, stationed in Marvel, France but lived in Belgium.  Doug commuted in the almighty 1954 Opal Capitan.  We went overseas on a ship called Ivernia  and flew back on the last trip of the Comet A/F plane! Upon returning to Canada Doug was blessed with two sons and would live in Moose Jaw and then return to Portage where he remained for the rest of his life.  Doug always had more than one job!  While in the Air Force he sold Datsun cars. He retired from the Force in 1974.  He then switched gears to selling for Portage Mobile Homes with some time sprinkled in there working at Portage Transport.  When that got boring, Dad  bought the franchise for Fuzzy Orange as an established business at the Portage Mall.  And therein was the nick name Fuzzy Doug. Who knew that in the late 70's, the simple question “wanna grape?” would lead to the relationship with the love of his life, Bernice Maxwell. Together Bernice and Doug enjoyed adventure after adventure, we might say they sailed the seven seas!  They were loved by many as they managed the Portage Golf Course Restaurant for many years.  Bernice’s butter tarts, Dad’s Bran Muffins… just couldn’t beat them!  When that gig was up Doug gained employment at the Portage Fair Board and remained there until his final retirement at the ripe ole age of 80. This might be where the “Grumpy Doug” term of endearment developed!

Always the sports fan, however very dedicated, Dad was a one sport at a time kind of man.  Hockey was big when we were young, with even a few seasons officiating.  Then he moved into curling.  As Dad ‘matured’ he would rarely miss a football game. In the end though, not much could interrupt his Blue Jays time.

When Bernice lost her battle to cancer in February of 2019, Dad was lost and selling their home of 30+ years was almost unbearable.  Covid hit just in time to knock Dad down just a little more. Then came a horrific cancer diagnosis.  You might think a person would be bitter and lose their way, but each knock proved the character of our Dad. He didn’t wallow in his misfortune but tried to live his life with continued strength and humour… always humour.  And then by gosh…  Happy Hours at Queen’s Court in the Spring grew into a companionship by the Fall.  Our family soon grew to love and respect this special lady.  We are thankful for the friendship between Joan and Dad, they were a gift to each other and Joan is a blessing to our family.  Thank you Joan, for your patience, your strength, your faith and your love.

We would like to thank Dr. Finney for his care and support over the years and particularly this past year.  To the staff at the Portage Chemo Lab for your skill and compassion… You girls were very special to our Dad!  That guy definitely had his favorite lunches and even chemo couldn’t silence his jokes … as lame as they may have been on any given day!  Thanks to Dr. Wong and staff at St. Boniface for your expertise in Small Cell Carcinoma and to Dr. Akra and the Radiation Unit at Health Sciences Center, you must be all kinds of great, when Dad’s comment is “That was like pissing down a well”! Thanks to the Sunset Palliative Care team for your support with a special mention to Aldene and to Giselle and Krista from Shared Health  Palliative Care who helped us keep Dad at home .. not even one overnight stay in the Portage hospital. Thank you also to Home Care with a special mention to Tracey.

Celebration of Doug’s life will take place at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Friday, September 30, 2022 at 11:00 am.  The service will also be live streamed to register and view, click on link above.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Doug’s memory Central Plains Cancer Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8 or Sunset Palliative Care Inc, Box 92, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3B2.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com