Obituary of Douglas Manners

B I O G R A P H Y MANNERS: Douglas Edward Manners passed away in the Desert Regional Medical Center, Palm Springs, California on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at the age of 73 years. Douglas is survived by: his loving wife Helen of Lloydminster; two sons: Glen and his wife Brenda Manners of Lloydminster; Lorne and his wife Sherry Manners of Sherwood Park; four grandchildren: Cody, Nicole, Reed and Jake; one sister Fran Foote of Lloydminster as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The memorial service for Doug was conducted from the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Harold Martin officiating. A eulogy was given by special friend, Doug Pawsey. Hymns sung were “In The Garden,” and “Bringing In The Sheaves,” accompanied on the organ by Irene Knowlson and by the Grace United Church Choir. The recessional was “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” An Elks Honor Guard was held. A private family interment in the Lloydminster City Cemetery will follow. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Eulogy I deem it a real honor to give this tribute to such a good friend. Doug was born in Lloydminster, SK on February 22, 1932 to Percy & Kate Manners. After finishing his schooling, he took a diesel course; then enrolled in the Vermilion School of Agriculture for two years. During his time there, he played hockey for both the College Team and the Town of Vermilion team. He was elected School President the 2nd year; so earned the nickname “The Wheel!” A few years later, he owned the Cockshutt Business in Lloyd. In 1960, Doug married Helen MacDonald; and they resided on Doug’s parent’s farm southeast of town for five years - before building a new home 1/4 mile north. During this union, they were blessed with two sons. Doug leaves to mourn his loving wife Helen (who he said was also his best friend); son Glen and wife Brenda and their children Cody & Nicole of Lloydminster; son Lorne and wife Brenda and their sons Reed and Jack of Sherwood Park; a sister Fran Foote of Lloydminster; brother-in-law Harvey MacDonald and wife Pat of Victoria; brother-in-law Don MacDonald and wife Wendy of Telkwa, BC; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his mother in 1961, his father in 1968, brother Don (who he farmed with) in 1980, a baby granddaughter in 1999, and brother-in-law Les in 2005. According to the Dictionary, the word ‘eulogy’ means “a spoken or written piece of high praise - especially when delivered publicly.” The written part was easy when describing Doug Manners; it’s the delivery that has me worried. How do you do justice to someone of such great character? I know that Doug would want us to ‘celebrate his life’ this afternoon - and that is just what we will do! For a few moments, let’s brush the tears aside; and remember that in Doug’s 74 years, he was a patient, kind and loving husband; and a great role model for a father, grandpa, brother, neighbor and friend. He made every minute count; and wanted to accomplish something every day - whether it be on the farm, out in the community, or at their winter place in the south. Together with Helen and the family, and some of Doug’s buddies, my wife Marilyn and I have come up with a few highlights of his time with us. We’d need hours, if each of us in this room, were able to share our thoughts and stories. DOUG HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ACTIVE PERSON. As a kid, he loved hockey. He’d walk ½ mile to a slough, clean it off, and practice his hockey skills. When a bit older, he could be seen riding Don’s horse to Marshall or Lloyd to take part in a game. In 1951, the Southminster Curling Rink was built on Highway 17 about five miles south of town. Most of the community curled in this rink, and it was here that Doug began his curling career. In 1961, he participated in Lloyd’s first Farmer’s Bonspiel with Les Foote, Ron McCormick and Ken Anderson. In the 80's, he was on his cousin Bob Manners rink that won five Farmer’s Spiels! He preferred to throw ‘second’ rocks; and was excellent at judging weight and sweeping. For several years, Doug curled with Ted Collins, Keith Collinge, Bob Manners, to play in various Albert Senior Playdowns. At one of those in Grande Prairie, they all flew up and it was 55 below! There were lots of Elk’s Provincial Playdowns as well - when Doug played with Bill Coward. He was always such an asset to his teammates. Once in awhile, though, he totally misjudged the strength of his opposition! One particular team he thought that should be able to take out in six ends - took them out 12-0 in exactly that! After many years, Doug gave up curling; and he and Helen enrolled in ‘Square Dance’ lessons - where we met them and quickly became close friends. There are many square-dancers here today who have been at the end of some prank Doug would pull on the dance floor - just to mix them up - thus breaking down the whole square! DOUG WAS A GOOD FARMER - evident by the good crops he produced; and passed that ‘love of the land’ on to his sons. Glen took over the farm in 2000; but Doug stayed involved - making sure he was always available when needed. DOUG WAS A COMMUNITY-MINDED PERSON. He was 19 years on the Board of Directors for the Co-op; where he served two years as president; has been an Elk for many years where he held the Exhalted Ruler’s position twice; and a member of the Lloydminster Golf Club for years. DOUG WAS FIRST AND FOREMOST ‘A FAMILY MAN’! He always put them first; and himself last. The boys remember their dad taking time to do things with them every weekend - whether it be fishing, hunting, camping or water skiing. During their teenage years, he could be seen at Peck Lake, Fishing Lake, or at their cottage at Loon Lake - pulling as many as six boys at a time on skis (with Helen as his Lookout!). Both sons told us that their dad was always inventing, fabricating, or building something - usually without plans or blueprints! Last summer and fall, he built a road into Lorne & Sherry’s new acreage; along with a project on the farm that was dear to his heart. Glen said that the ‘bale-furnace’ heating system that would supply heat to their two homes, shop and stock waterers didn’t quite get finished; and guess what - the plans were all in Doug’s head. But Glen plans to figure this out; and finish it for his dad. Doug was so very proud of his two sons; and vice-versa. They credit their father for their strong work-ethic; and good sense of right and wrong. Glen feels that he would never have been able to farm without his dad there to lend his knowledge, advice, expertise, and guidance. In Lorne’s words, he says” “Thank-you, Dad! THANKS for the guidelines of right; THANKS for the boundaries of wrong; THANKS for the work ethic; THANKS for always being there with a helping hand; THANKS for the love; THANKS for making time to play with your grandchildren; THANKS for the education of life; and THANKS for showing me how to live. I love you Dad; and will never forget you.” The four grandkids, Cody, Nicole, Reed and Jake held such a special place in Doug’s heart! Nicole said her grampa was such a big tease; but always found time to stop and say hi if she was playing outside as he went by on his Honda Quad. Cody got even with him for teasing - by painting Doug’s fingernails while he slept in the big chair downstairs in the Family Room! We heard that Doug proudly sported his newly polished fingernails to coffee in town the next morning! The following is a “Message to Our Papa” from his two youngest grandsons Reed & Jake. I know we may be little, papa; But you hold such a big part of our hearts. Daddy’s told us you’ve gone to heaven now; And that if we want to see you, We’ll just look up in the stars And there you will be. Our angel from up above, That’s who you’ll always be. When we grow up, papa, we want to be just like you; And build a big long road like only you can do. Our quad rides will never be the same, papa; But we will always think of you; And say hi to the cows Like we all three would do. We’re sure going to miss all those hugs And teasing games you played; But please remember - To us You will always be our “PAPA AT THE FARM” Forever in our hearts Love, Hugs and Kisses - Reed & Jake In the early 90's, Doug and Helen began searching for a spot in the souther US where they could escape to for a couple of winter months. A gated Golf Resort in the desert caught their fancy; and they became residents of Rancho Casa Blanca in Indio, CA; for about 2 ½ months each year. This allowed Doug the time to relax; and play bridge three to four times a week, square and round-dance, golf, play shuffleboard, and spend quality time with the wide circle of friends and neighbors there. Did I say RELAX?? And Doug didn’t leave his box of pranks back here in Canada!! There was always someone gullible enough to believe everything he said - until they learned to recognize that particular weird grin - then they knew they’d been had! Helen said that this year, Doug decided to be their ‘Social Secretary’ down there! He bought a huge calender to prop up on the table beside his easy chair; and carefully entered all their activities and invitations on the proper date - just so they wouldn’t be double-booked! Doug mentioned on the phone to us in early January that “don’t be surprised if they listed their place for sale - as the market is so hot.” Then a few weeks later, he told Helen that they had so many friends there and had so much fun - that they should keep going as long as they were able. That made us very happy; as we also go there in November and March; and were so looking forward to traveling down there next week with the golf clubs! During this time of crisis, Helen found out just how valuable a ‘support-group’ she had there when she needed it the most. We will always cherish our time together last April; when the four of us celebrated our 40 & 45 anniversaries by going through the Panama Canal. It was on this cruise, that Doug’s ‘love of the land’ almost got him in hot water - at a remote resort along the Mexican Coast! While we thought was spending a very hot afternoon playing bridge on the ship, he actually went back into the town of Hutulco, rented a quad, drove into the hills by himself (remember this is Mexico!), and walked back after the quad broke down! In all of our times together, whether it was here or down south, there is one mental picture that will always be with me - of Doug steering a vehicle or bicycle with his left hand, while holding a full cup of coffee in the other! Needless to say, he had an endless supply of coffee-stained pants for Helen to wash each week! I’m sure we have all benefitted, in some way, by knowing Doug Manners. He gave real meaning to the words honesty, integrity and patience, family-man, friend and neighbor - and maybe I should add ‘prankster’! We will miss him deeply; but remember him always with love and affection. I would like to close with a poem I found on the internet - that describes pretty much how we feel. They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true; We never wanted memories, we only wanted you. A million times we needed you, a million times we cried; If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still; In our hearts you hold a place no one else could ever fill. If love could build a stairway, and heartache build a lane, We’d walk the path to heaven and bring you back again. Our family chain his broken, and nothing seems the same; But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. GOODBYE MY FRIEND. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. Card of Thanks Thank you to Harold Martin for conducting the service for Doug’s memorial. Thank you to Irene Knowlson for the lovely organ music and to the church choir. Thank you to the Southminster Ladies for serving and supplying a beautiful lunch, also to the Royal Purple Ladies for helping with food. Thank you to McCaw's for their wonderful and caring service while we were down in Palm Springs and once we got home. Thank you so much everyone for cards, flowers, donations, food brought to the house, phone calls and visits. The support given was and is tremendous and very, very much appreciated. Helen Glen, Brenda, Cody & Nicole Lorne, Sherry, Reed & Jake Donations in memory of Doug may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Lloyd Region Health Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice.