DAVID ELVIN MCDOUGALL
DECEMBER 26, 1929
JULY 30 2017

Peacefully in his sleep, David Elvin McDougall passed away on Sunday July 20 2017 at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg at the age of 87 years.

Dave is survived by brothers A.C. (Tom) McDougall (Lilia Ivsek) of Winnipeg and Doug McDougall of Vancouver B.C., brothers-in-law Don Smith and Bernt (Margaret) Smith of Alberta, and sisters-in-law Helen McDougall of Michigan and Nat Smith of Arizona.

Dave leaves behind nephews and nieces Jim McDougall of St. Adolphe Manitoba and his family Samantha (Joel) Friesen, Emily McDougall, and their mother Michelle McDougall of Winnipeg; Tom (Karen) McDougall of Winnipeg and his family Craig, Chelsey, Logan and Bryce McDougall of Winnipeg, Rob, Chantelle and Haiden McDougall of Niverville; Darren McDougall of Vancouver, Tara (Tom) Sohier of Calgary, Laurie McDougall of Michigan, Nicole Smith (Roy Ferris) and Paul Smith of Alberta, Pamela (Jan) Carritt, David Smith, and Jeffrey (Lori) Smith of Arizona, and their families.

Dave was predeceased by his wife of 59 years Valerie, brothers Laurie, Cliff and Ken, sisters-in-law Marlene McDougall, Daphne McDougall, Noreen Smith, and brother-in-law Darrell Smith.

Dave was born in Winnipeg to Mary and Robert McDougall on December 26 1929. He grew up in Fort Garry and was an avid hockey player and golfer. Dave worked for CN Rail in the Transcona Shops as a machinist. When he retired, Dave and Val moved from Winnipeg to a small acreage near Anola, Manitoba, where Dave loved to spend time with his many pets. Dave had a way with animals, and animals could sense his caring and came to him easily. Dave fashioned a 3-hole golf course on his property just off Hwy 15 where he could practice his chipping and putting.

Dave was a big original Winnipeg Jets fan, and he met with then premier Gary Filmon one-on-one to express his concerns when the Jets were being sold and moved to Phoenix.

Dave wrote a book entitled “Smoke-Free?” in 2005 in which he spoke to the hype of the global media in the anti-smoking debate, pointing out the various other kinds of smoke and pollution that we have in our environment that we seldom talk about. Very much an environmentalist, in his book he described himself as a part time scientist. He had a special interest in outer space. In 1978 he registered to bequeath his body for anatomical studies to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba.

Dave suffered a stroke while living in Anola that led to Dave and Val selling their property and moving back to Winnipeg. When Val passed away in 2010, Dave moved into an array of assisted living complexes, finally ending up at Concordia Village where he felt most comfortable. Although he couldn’t drive, Dave was able to maintain some independence at Concordia Village by calling a taxi or hopping on the Village shuttle bus to visit the mall for shopping or go for lunch. He was a frequent customer at the Kildonan Salisbury House where all the staff knew him by name and treated him well.

A second stroke resulted in Dave losing mobility and created more speech difficulties, and Dave was moved into a personal care home where he lived the last 8 months of his life. The family are deeply appreciative for the kindness, compassion, and care provided to Dave and would like to thank all the staff at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg for looking after him so well in his final days. Also thanks to family practitioner Dr. Sikora for many years of attending to Dave’s medical concerns.

Dave will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and generous person, who showed great respect for his fellow man. Uncle, we were glad to have known you, will remember you, and are thankful that you are finally at peace.

According to Dave’s wishes, no funeral will be held. The family will gather at a later date for a celebration of his life.