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DANIEL (DAN) DE BAETS  Obituary pic

DANIEL (DAN) DE BAETS

Born: Feb 24, 1943

Date of Passing: Mar 17, 2014

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DANIEL (DAN) DE BAETS It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Daniel (Dan) De Baets on March 17, 2014 while golfing in Arizona, at the age of 71 years. He will be sadly missed and lovingly cherished by his family and many friends. He is survived by his soul mate and wife of 46 years, Carol (Rigaux), his children Alan (Suzanne), Michael, Danielle (Florian) Vorreiter, and his precious grandchildren Luke, Paige, and Poppy De Baets; Tatiana, Raphael, and Seraphine Vorreiter. He will be fondly remembered by his mother-in-law Juliette Rigaux, his brother Leonard (Monique), sisters Linda (Joel) Bouchard and Lorraine (Al Comte), and aunt Esther Vermeersch. His extended De Baets and Rigaux family and many friends will miss him dearly. Dan was predeceased by his mother Marguerite, father Armand, and father-in-law Lucien Rigaux. Dan was born February 24, 1943 in St. Boniface. He grew up on Dugald Road where he lived until he married the love of his life, Carol. Dan's first career was as a musician until he started a family and went on to university to obtain his teaching certificate. He worked many years as an elementary teacher at Royal, General Byng, Bairdmore, and Whyte Ridge schools. Dan continued his education to earn his Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and Special Education/Resource training until he retired as a resource teacher in 1999. He continued teaching in his retirement as a part time resource teacher until 2008. Dan had a lifelong passion for music and enjoyed travelling and ballroom dancing with his wife. Other interests included curling, golfing, photography, cooking, entertaining, and spending time with his vast network of family and friends. Dan's greatest joy came from being a husband, father, and grandfather. He was blessed to be able to spend quality time with his grandchildren just prior to enjoying his last vacation with his loving wife. Viewing and prayerful reflection will take place on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Thompson "In the Park" Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., Winnipeg, MB. Funeral service will be held at Christ the King Church, 847 St. Mary's Road, Winnipeg, MB on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Flowers graciously declined. Donations may be made to the St. Boniface General Hospital Research Foundation for cardiac research, C1026-409 Taché Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6. GREEN ACRES Funeral Home and Cemetery Hwy. #1 E at Navin Road, Winnipeg, MB (204) 222-3241 Condolences may be sent to www.greenacresfuneralhome.com

Make a donation to St. Boniface Hospital Foundation

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 22, 2014

Condolences & Memories (29 entries)

  • What a sad loss for you Carol, children, grandchildren and RPG's! Dan was such a gental giant and so talented musically! Thank you Dan for sharing your beautiful talent with all of us at RPG's. Rest in pease Dan and God bless! - Posted by: Peggy Zacharias (acquaintance thru RPG's) on: May 17, 2014

  • So sorry to hear of your loss. At this time I am in Scottsdale but heard the sad news from my sons and my former Falconer Bay friends. I extend my sincere condolences to your entire family. - Posted by: Dawn Watson (Verhaeghe) (Former neighbour) on: Mar 26, 2014

  • He will be greatly missed. He always had something positive to say. My thoughts and prayers are with Carole and family. - Posted by: Vicky-Lynn Charbonneau () on: Mar 26, 2014

  • I have very fond memories of Dan. He was a kind and gentle soul who really cared about his students and he was always professional in all of his interactions. Grounded and confident, he set the bar high for the rest of us! - Posted by: David Mandzuk (Former colleague ) on: Mar 25, 2014

  • My heart feels broken for your loss Carol & Danielle... I have been honoured to be your hairstylist for over 20 years. During those years our wonderful conversations about all the gardening projects you & Dan were planning or what your next vacation was going to be, have always been a hilight to my day... You and your family are in my thoughts... - Posted by: Rita Lehmann (Carol's Hairstylist (& sometimes Danielle's)) on: Mar 25, 2014

  • Sincere condolences Carol. Keeping you in my prayers. Simonne - Posted by: Simonne (Foidart) Sewell (Schoolmate) on: Mar 25, 2014

  • Carol and family we are so sorry for your loss - Posted by: kerr robert and Maureen (friends) on: Mar 25, 2014

  • Please accept our sincere sympathy Carol & family. You were a graceful & delightful pair to watch on the dance floor Carol. May the memories of those moments ease your loss. - Posted by: Jan & Ron Payne (dance class friends passing in the hallway @ Harrow) on: Mar 25, 2014

  • My condolences to the family. Good memories of playing in the house and around the neighbourhood with our large group of friends. Always provided rides and never gave us too much trouble even when we probably deserved it. My thoughts are with the family. Erin - Posted by: Erin Ivory (Childhood friend of Michael) on: Mar 24, 2014

  • We are sorry of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. - Posted by: Roland andSuzanne Labossiere (Friends) on: Mar 24, 2014

  • Condolences to Danielle and family; my family are also memebers of CTK parish and know your dad through our church community. Deepest Sympathies on behalf of Alice and Andy Viallet and Co-worker, Monique Stratton. - Posted by: Monique Stratton (Co-Worker to Danielle) on: Mar 24, 2014

  • Working with Dan was never a supervisory relationship. He was secure, reliable and above all, musically inspired. He thrilled the entire school with his musical renditions. My sincerest condolences to the family. - Posted by: Patrick Morican (Former Principal, Bairdmore Elementary School) on: Mar 24, 2014

  • Mike even though I did not know your dad I cannot help but feel he was a awesome person because he is part of you pal. Janice and I are thinking of you and we are very sorry for your loss. - Posted by: Mitch & Janice Skrumeda (Friend / Co worker) on: Mar 24, 2014

  • Not only was I was fortunate to be a student in Mr. DeBaets' grade 4 class at General Byng, I was lucky enough to teach with him at Dr. Penner School when he took a term Student Services position there a few years ago. It was a pleasure to work with him. He was always gentle, caring, and had the students' best interests in mind. My deepest condolences to your entire family. - Posted by: Jen Braun (Siemens) (Former student and colleague) on: Mar 23, 2014

  • We have had the honour and privilege of knowing Dan & Carol for many years through dance. Dan was an amazing person and will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts & prayers are with you Carol and your family. - Posted by: Sue Young & Rhéal Normandeau (Friends) on: Mar 23, 2014

  • sorry to hear of your loss Carol and family....he will never be forgotten.....Dan and Kas were wonderful "mentors" and made a big impact on my "musical" career...God Bless - Posted by: Pat Petryk (Stragier) (my accordion teacher in the 60's at the siwik music center in wpg.) on: Mar 23, 2014

  • Very sad to hear this news. Grade 4 was one of my favourite grades simply because of Mr. De Baets. He was very engaging and we could tell he enjoyed his profession - and this coming from a regular target of his chalk tosses. - Posted by: Jason Ziprick () on: Mar 23, 2014

  • Our sincere condolences on the loss of your husband, father, and brother. It is a life interrupted far to early. With his many interests, he enjoyed life's journey to its fullest. May the happy memories you shared with him bring you comfort. - Posted by: Jo Ann & Don Lippens (Cousin) on: Mar 23, 2014

  • Dan was our family leader - the one we all looked up to for advice and guidance once we lost our parents. He is sadly missed. He is also survived by Aunt Julia (De Baets) Guilbault and Germaine (De Baets) Willson. - Posted by: Linda (De Baets) Bouchard (sister ) on: Mar 23, 2014

  • I first met Dan and Carol in the autumn of 2003 when they walked into a ballroom dance class I was teaching in Charleswood. There they met up with Connie and Darcy Baker whose first time it was as well. They were to become fast friends within the dance community. As they continued their education on the dance floor, they forged friendships with even more students, eventually forming a tight knit group.... attending dances together, practise sessions and, even taking cruises together. Being an accomplished musician and having a happy demeanour, Dan would always cheerfully answer any question I had about music and would identify a certain wind or string instrument in a piece of music that I couldn’t quite pin down. I recall (with a smile) when he bought a pair of split-soled dance shoes. They added two inches to his already six feet.... making him look like he was ready to spring into action! (This is an image I will carry forever... I’ve since bought my own pair!) Dan.... we will miss you! Wherever you are...keep on dancing! “The measure of a man’s life is the well-spending of it, and not the length.” - Plutarch “Grant us but memory, and we lose nothing by death.” - Whittier - Posted by: Kathryn McGuire (dance teacher) on: Mar 23, 2014

  • Mr. De Baets was my Grade 4 teacher at General Byng School. I have fond memories of projects we were assigned, being asked to close the window and getting my finger squished (he rushed over to free my finger!) and watching pieces of chalk go whizzing by, aimed at those rowdy boys! - Posted by: Debbie McKibbin (Student) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • Alan & Suzanne, I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. My deepest sympathies. Take care. - Posted by: Jerry Weir (Friend of son) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • We are friends through the dance community. Carol and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Dan was a great friend and person and we will cherish memories of the times spent with him. Thinking of you Carol and family. - Posted by: Jackie and Dennis Snarr (Friends) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • I had the privilege of working with Dan at Bairdmore School, and I fondly remember his easy-going, caring, and professional manner, and his love of the accordion. Dan truly was a gentleman, and a gentle man. His students and his friends at work meant the world, and he truly impacted many lives. To Carol and family, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, and that Dan's memory will be cherished always. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead. - Posted by: Brucie Kusmack (Mrs.) (Friend and Colleague) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • My most heartfelt condolences to Carole and family, with a special thought and prayer for Danielle. - Posted by: Paulette Vincent () on: Mar 22, 2014

  • A wonderful man from a wonderful family. My condolences. - Posted by: Derek Kun (Friend of family) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • Please note that viewing and prayerful reflection is for everyone - all friends and family are welcome. - Posted by: Carol De Baets (Wife) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • Worked together in the Resource/ESL Program at Whyte Ridge-great experience. Dan was a great teacher. We were looking forward to connecting in Arizona. - Posted by: Margaret and Elmer Kinaschuk (Friends) on: Mar 22, 2014

  • We are very sad and shocked by hearing the passing of Dan since we were to meet here in Arizona again this passed Thursday. He will be sadly missed by all his friends,and family. We will not be home yet ,so will miss the Funeral,so condolences to Carol, and all your Family. - Posted by: Joe & Mardell Rioux (Friends) on: Mar 22, 2014

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