Obituary for Donald Albert Kelpin (SR.)
DONALD ALBERT KELPIN (SR.)
December 27, 1929 – April 15, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Donald Albert Kelpin at the age of 92 on April 15, 2022. He passed away peacefully in Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall with family by his side.
He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis, parents Charles and Amy Kelpin and brothers Ken and Pat. He is survived by his son Donald (Karen), daughters Shelley Kelpin, Sharon Wolfe (Bill) and his grandsons Kyle (Hannah) and Darren (sons of Don and Karen) and sister-in-law Joyce Kelpin of B.C.
Dad was born in Winnipeg. He grew up in Stony Mountain and was active in many sports. He was a well-known hockey player in midget and bantam hockey in Winnipeg with the Excelsiors, juvenile hockey for the 1947-48 Winnipeg Canadiens and winning league MVP. He was an all-star junior hockey player with the Winnipeg Canadiens and was on the Montreal Canadiens recruiting list being invited to their training camp. He continued his hockey career playing for several senior teams including Hallock Lions, Letellier Maple Leafs and the Portage Memorials. He was known for his excellent skating ability and was quoted as “bringing fans to their feet" in the Portage Daily Graphic.
Dad met Mom while she was attending nursing training at St. Boniface Hospital. They were married in March, 1958 and settled in Stony Mountain raising their family there.
He coached his children to championship Stony Mountain teams for hockey as well as softball and in a 1988 Olympic year celebration, was awarded a medal for “Coach” in the community. Dad was known to his hockey players as “Mr. Don”.
Dad was the foreman of the City of Winnipeg quarry at Stony Mountain for 38 years retiring in 1984. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather who managed the quarry starting in 1905, and then his father starting in 1929.
Dad was always involved in sports either coaching or following his children and grandsons in all their sporting activities. During the winters he could always be seen in the rinks watching or coaching hockey, finding time to curl, and at the ball diamonds in the spring and summer. Dad was also a long-time Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan having season tickets for 65 years.
Dad was a caring, kind and generous person and was always there for his family and friends. He always talked about “family” and enjoyed the family celebrations.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Rosewood Lodge for Dad's care.
Cremation has taken place and there will be a small family service at a later date.
Dad, you are forever in our hearts
God bless and may you rest in peace with Mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosewood Lodge or Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.
December 27, 1929 – April 15, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, Donald Albert Kelpin at the age of 92 on April 15, 2022. He passed away peacefully in Rosewood Lodge in Stonewall with family by his side.
He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis, parents Charles and Amy Kelpin and brothers Ken and Pat. He is survived by his son Donald (Karen), daughters Shelley Kelpin, Sharon Wolfe (Bill) and his grandsons Kyle (Hannah) and Darren (sons of Don and Karen) and sister-in-law Joyce Kelpin of B.C.
Dad was born in Winnipeg. He grew up in Stony Mountain and was active in many sports. He was a well-known hockey player in midget and bantam hockey in Winnipeg with the Excelsiors, juvenile hockey for the 1947-48 Winnipeg Canadiens and winning league MVP. He was an all-star junior hockey player with the Winnipeg Canadiens and was on the Montreal Canadiens recruiting list being invited to their training camp. He continued his hockey career playing for several senior teams including Hallock Lions, Letellier Maple Leafs and the Portage Memorials. He was known for his excellent skating ability and was quoted as “bringing fans to their feet" in the Portage Daily Graphic.
Dad met Mom while she was attending nursing training at St. Boniface Hospital. They were married in March, 1958 and settled in Stony Mountain raising their family there.
He coached his children to championship Stony Mountain teams for hockey as well as softball and in a 1988 Olympic year celebration, was awarded a medal for “Coach” in the community. Dad was known to his hockey players as “Mr. Don”.
Dad was the foreman of the City of Winnipeg quarry at Stony Mountain for 38 years retiring in 1984. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather who managed the quarry starting in 1905, and then his father starting in 1929.
Dad was always involved in sports either coaching or following his children and grandsons in all their sporting activities. During the winters he could always be seen in the rinks watching or coaching hockey, finding time to curl, and at the ball diamonds in the spring and summer. Dad was also a long-time Winnipeg Blue Bomber fan having season tickets for 65 years.
Dad was a caring, kind and generous person and was always there for his family and friends. He always talked about “family” and enjoyed the family celebrations.
We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Rosewood Lodge for Dad's care.
Cremation has taken place and there will be a small family service at a later date.
Dad, you are forever in our hearts
God bless and may you rest in peace with Mom.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosewood Lodge or Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.