Douglas Hill

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Douglas Hill

Doug passed away peacefully at his home in Selkirk on April 8, 2023. He was recently predeceased by his sweetheart Bobbie Carter.

Dad was also predeceased by his first wife Louise; parents, Margaret and Percy Hill; in-laws, Gisil and Stina Anderson; sister Elaine Millar; in-laws, Roy and Ruth Anderson, Shirley and Bill Disney and Lenord Anderson.

He is survived by his family, son Warren and wife Ruby (Daniel and Kat, Oliver, Madeline, Charlie) and Stuart; son Vernon and wife Kathy; grandsons, Josh and Cody, Skyler and Holly, (Bella) and Tayler; Dad also leaves behind brothers, Gary, Murray and Hilda, Jim Bear; and sister-in-law Carol Anderson and many close friends and extended family.

Dad was born in Teulon, but upon meeting mom chose to make Gimli his home, first employed driving taxi then moving onto working for the RCAF in the ME section at Gimli air base. He continued to work there until its closing in the early 70s. With the closure, her was offered a transfer to Cold Lake, Alberta but chose to remain in Gimli.

Out of work with a young family Dad was truly in a bind, I can’t recall exactly which buddy of his, possibly Marino Sigmundson, posed the question, “why don’t you try selling cars for a week?” and thus, his 47 years in car sales began. Dad first worked at Chudds Chrysler in Gimli, then moved onto Gimli Motors and for a time managed a sales office in Teulon for Louie Isfeld. In 1976 John Giesbrecht bought Gimli Motors and while Louie moved west, Dad came with the building.

Dad retired in 2019 when Bobbie's health diminished after her first surgery. Dad cared for her until two months ago, she was forced to return to the hospital, all this despite his own health issues. It must have been love.

When Dad lost Bobbie it began his mission to make sure she was taken care of, Vern and myself worked with him to get her affairs in order. It would be 15 hours after telling Dad that, “things have been finished up regarding the estate” that he would pass in his sleep with his friend Marvin sitting at his side.

The reasons Dad was so successful in anything he did, was largely due to two things, one his ability to meet basically anyone, talk, listen to them and make them feel at ease. Secondly what we will agree on was a “slight” stubborn streak. This streak would get him through life and three battles with cancer. The last being a verdict of stage IV throat cancer, told to “go home get things in order, we will try radiation to buy you some extra time” that was over 12 years ago. My Dad is now known by his doctor as “You are my miracle, Doug, its your story of survival, that I tell to every patient that I give the news of their own terminal diagnosis.

Dad excelled in the car business winning many awards from both General Motors and Manitoba Auto Dealers Association.

He coached and managed both the Gimli Vikings fastball team and the Gimli Wolves Hockey team to many championship titles. The last championship team he built was the Wolves, when diagnosed with throat cancer, the guys dedicated that hockey season to Dad. That year they brought the cup home to Gimli.

For awhile he dabbled in the horse business, first quarter horses from South Dakota and last onto the bigger and possibly better world of Thoroughbred racing.

The stories of Dad's life could likely fill volumes of text, to tell them all would take days and likely have several different versions, with that in mind I will sign off with you to remember my dad the way you personally do, one thing for certain is that he was one of a kind. Vern and I are both proud to have passed that trait onto our own sons.

I’m not your son, you’re not my Father

We’re just two grown men saying goodbye

No need to forgive, no need to forget

I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you’re sleeping

I’ll try to make you proud

So, Daddy won’t you just close your eyes?

Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn

To chase the monsters away.

Condolences may be left

on his tribute wall at

www.gilbartfuneralhome.com



Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk

in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 15, 2023