Darren Glen Egnell passed away peacefully on April 18, 2020 at the age of 59, with his wife and son by his side.
He is predeceased by his parents Ken and Marie Egnell in 1989 and 2015 respectively.
He is survived by his wife Cindy Jenkins of 32 years, and son Dustin (Julie Murray, Leelin, Landon),
His siblings; Allison (Ken LaBelle, Courtney, Hailey), Grant (Heather Gardewine, Chloe) and Arlene (Peter Kole, Jasmine, Kaelym).
Darren was born in Winnipeg. He grew up and spent most of his life in the Garden City area. He graduated from Garden City Collegiate.
He was active in many sports. He was introduced to golf by his father and he learned to play quite well. Darren received the CTV Sports Star of the week for a hole in one at Harbour View Golf Course. He was an avid runner for a while, participating in 10k’s and half marathons. He enjoyed sking as a young man, going to many different places. He curled as well for many years, some of them with his sister Allison. He played hockey and baseball and coached Dustin’s teams for these sports.
Darren enjoyed watching the Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and Winnipeg Goldeyes. Darren was always game to go to any sporting event. In 2002 he attended a PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Minnesota and saw Tiger Woods play. He also attended MLB Spring training in Arizona which was a dream come true.
Darren started his working life at a restaurant, Caesars Palace, in Garden City shopping centre as a cook in the late 70s. His parents loved the cinnamon buns he brought home at the end of a shift. He had a forty year career at New Flyer Industries, most of that time as a welder. Darren believed in being loyal to a company. He was known for his knowledge, skill and attention to detail. He always said “it is all in the details”. He enjoyed helping all his friends with their welding needs. He put both his skills to use cooking and welding for Doug Doucette race team as part of the crew on occasion.
Darren loved cars. A passion he got from his dad. He enjoyed building car models at a younger age as well as go-carts He learned to drive in a standard Vauxhaul Viva by driving up and down the driveway before taking the car on the road.. He enjoyed doing donuts in the Meteor in a parking lot across the street from home. Darren was a dedicated Mopar man. It started when he purchased his beloved, yellow, 1970 383 Cuda in 1979. He and his dad made many changes to it, customizing it, both exterior and interior, during the 80s. They put it back to stock original just before his dad passed away in 1989. He cherished that time with his dad. He went to car shows on most weekends all over Canada and the U.S. winning numerous awards. He also entered his Triumph TR7 in a show or two, but he didn't hold on to that car for very long. He won some lottery money, sold the TR7 and bought his first brand new car; a black Dodge Mirada with a t-bar roof. Later on he bought his first convertible; a Chrysler Sebring. Then he added a Dodge Nitro to the collection. Darren was very involved with the Manitoba Mopar Association. He was the Mopar club’s activities director where he planned lots of cruises and events. He continued meeting with club members up to a few years ago.
During a trip to Arizona he caught the “Harley Davidson” bug and entered the world of motorcycle riding. This led to many trips, especially to Sturgis, SD and the surrounding areas. Bike time was happy time, he enjoyed riding his bike and made many new bike friends in the last 10 years and developed a whole new Harley Davidson wardrobe.
He bought an enclosed trailer for his bike and turned it into the NitroHotel for camping. His favourite camping spot was Winnipeg Beach especially enjoying a Sunday morning Bloody Mary brunch.
He loved to travel. Arizona, Caribbean cruising and Milwaukee were among his most special memories from travelling to places big and small, far and wide. He loved going to Brainerd, MN every year to watch drag racing. He even took his cuda to Gimli to race periodically.
He enjoyed music of all kinds, particularly the blues and classic rock like Pink Floyd. He saw most of his (and Cindy's) favourite musicians in concert. He enjoyed when Cindy’s dad Ralph would sit down at the piano and boogie woogie his way through a rambunctious “Caldonia”.
He appreciated the time and support of his family and friends who visited during his illness. Brightening and easing his days. Thank you.
He was forever grateful for the love and support of Cindy, his son, sisters and Fran and Trevor.
Thank you to the Palliative Care staff at St Boniface Hospital and CancerCare at Concordia Hospital for their care. Donations can be made in his honour to St Boniface hospital foundation, CancerCare Manitoba foundation or a charity of choice. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at a later date.