Obituary for Douglas Orval McGiffin
Douglas Orval McGiffin
August 18, 1952 – April 27, 2022
Douglas (Doug) McGiffin, 69, peacefully passed away from cancer, surrounded by his loving family on April 27 in the comfort of Riverview Health Centre.
Growing up in Winnipeg he met the love of his life, Joanne at a young age. He joined the Air Force for 5 years and they moved to Barrie and Dartmouth. In his passion for life of service, he became a firefighter in the WPG FD in 1975. After retiring as a Captain in 2006, they enjoyed RVing, winters in Arizona, watching Lake MB sunsets at home in St. Laurent. His priorities were family, community and Metis Heritage. Over 45 years of marriage, in a non-traditional family, they parented all kids and grandkids with unconditional love and acceptance. Sadly, lost Joanne to cancer in 2015. Spent his final years with partner Nicki travelling and at the lake.
Always a practical joker, a heart of gold, he loved helping people. A big kid at heart, all kids adored him. Best Papa ever! He loved entertaining and being everybody’s tour guide. Courageous in any challenge.
Douglas will be sadly missed by his mom, Clara Marie; his brother Ralph (Joy); his children: Christopher, Jeri-Anne (Lance), Michael (Emily), Heather (Gregory); his grandchildren: Nicholas, Chelsea, Jaxon, Trevor, Derek, Jacob, Maxwell, Aria, Hayley, Trevor, Timothy; his great-grandchildren: Octavia, TJ; Joanne’s family; his partner, Nicki (her son Drake and granddaughters Jaedace and Zaelynn); many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Douglas was predeceased by his beloved wife Joanne, father Orval, sisters Linda and Patricia, stepdad Sam, in-laws Helgi and Kay, Maureen, Frank, and Nicki’s daughter, Kristin.
Special thanks to the health care professionals at CancerCare and Riverview.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Fire Fighters Burn Fund, CancerCare MB, or the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre would be appreciated.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Laurent Roman Catholic Parish, St. Laurent, Manitoba. Fr. Paul Tinguely and Chaplin Mark Young officiating. Interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery.
ALWAYS EVERYONE’S HERO!
August 18, 1952 – April 27, 2022
Douglas (Doug) McGiffin, 69, peacefully passed away from cancer, surrounded by his loving family on April 27 in the comfort of Riverview Health Centre.
Growing up in Winnipeg he met the love of his life, Joanne at a young age. He joined the Air Force for 5 years and they moved to Barrie and Dartmouth. In his passion for life of service, he became a firefighter in the WPG FD in 1975. After retiring as a Captain in 2006, they enjoyed RVing, winters in Arizona, watching Lake MB sunsets at home in St. Laurent. His priorities were family, community and Metis Heritage. Over 45 years of marriage, in a non-traditional family, they parented all kids and grandkids with unconditional love and acceptance. Sadly, lost Joanne to cancer in 2015. Spent his final years with partner Nicki travelling and at the lake.
Always a practical joker, a heart of gold, he loved helping people. A big kid at heart, all kids adored him. Best Papa ever! He loved entertaining and being everybody’s tour guide. Courageous in any challenge.
Douglas will be sadly missed by his mom, Clara Marie; his brother Ralph (Joy); his children: Christopher, Jeri-Anne (Lance), Michael (Emily), Heather (Gregory); his grandchildren: Nicholas, Chelsea, Jaxon, Trevor, Derek, Jacob, Maxwell, Aria, Hayley, Trevor, Timothy; his great-grandchildren: Octavia, TJ; Joanne’s family; his partner, Nicki (her son Drake and granddaughters Jaedace and Zaelynn); many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Douglas was predeceased by his beloved wife Joanne, father Orval, sisters Linda and Patricia, stepdad Sam, in-laws Helgi and Kay, Maureen, Frank, and Nicki’s daughter, Kristin.
Special thanks to the health care professionals at CancerCare and Riverview.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Fire Fighters Burn Fund, CancerCare MB, or the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre would be appreciated.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Laurent Roman Catholic Parish, St. Laurent, Manitoba. Fr. Paul Tinguely and Chaplin Mark Young officiating. Interment will follow in the Parish Cemetery.
ALWAYS EVERYONE’S HERO!