Dennis Coey

With grace and dignity, Dennis Coey, 90, passed away Wednesday, August 23rd, following a quiet decline with dementia.

Born May 4th, 1933, Dennis was the only son of Crawford Park Pioneers, Jim and Violet Coey. Following his education at Onanole School, alongside older sisters Pearl and Myrtle; Dennis moved to Erickson to begin his career and meet the love of his life and future wife, Norma Vince.

In the early years, Dennis’s career growth moved him from Virden, The Pas and Brandon Settling in Erickson in 1962. In 1968 Dennis partnered with lifelong friend John Gustafson as owners of Parkwood Auto, an award-winning GM dealership serving rural Manitoba until 2009. Dennis valued the reputation of Parkwood Auto succeeding in GMs vision of Earning Customers for Life. Dennis and Parkwood Auto continued to serve those customers as an independent dealership until 2013. As a community leader, Dennis became a strong community support through involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and local political network. In his later years Dennis was also known for his goodwill, providing discreet assistance to neighbors in need. Dennis demonstrated and received respect from his community.

Dennis touched countless lives.

Dennis and Norma married in 1955 and commenced the life of a busy family with the additions of their 5 children. Dennis’s commitment to his family was expressed through the strength and self-discipline he showed as a leader and the subtle activities of gardening and unwavering daily routines. This was remembered as his family reflected on the impeccable hobby farm they called home in their later teenage years. As the generations expand, Dennis’s legacies of discipline, respect and hard work are evident in his children and grandchildren.

Dennis’s family will remember his slightly crooked secret smiles (that carried down to each of his children), avid use of Windex, small juice bottles, love for sweets, impeccably kept wardrobe, tidy garden, and the Chevrolet emblem on his driveway.

With a lifetime of memories in Erickson, Dennis moved to Alberta in 2020. It was there, his children were able to provide the support he needed to manage the impacts of dementia. It was there Dennis passed away surrounded by the love of his children; his handheld, hearing words of adoration from his family.

Dennis was predeceased by his wife Norma, daughter Sheree, son-in-law Wayne, son Calvin, sister Pearl, brother-in-law Bill, sister Myrtle, brother-in-law Irving, and sister-in-law Sylvia. Dennis is survived by his son Bryan (Christine), son-in-law David, daughter-in-law Ramona, son Perry (Patty), daughter Maureen (Don); grandchildren Vanessa (Jeffrey), James (Allison), Derek (Cheryl), Chris, Michael (Brooke), Catrina (Dale), Riley (Keith), Sean, Emily (Nick), Danielle (Chad), Savannah (Craig), Don Jr, Kim, Lindsay (Justine); sister-in-law Janet, brother-in-law Elman, brother-in-law Danny (Jan), and sister-in-law Donna (Dennis). Dennis is also survived by many adorable great grandchildren who through the love and dedication of their parents and grandparents will carry on Dennis’s legacies.

A funeral honouring Dennis’s life will be held at Erickson Lutheran Church, Friday, September 8th, 2023, at 2:00 pm with a reception following Interment. Internment with ashes of wife Norma Coey will follow at Erickson Municipal Cemetery. Pallbearers; Bryan Coey, Perry Coey, Don James, Derek Slobodian, Mike Slobodian, and Sean Coey; honorary pallbearer Johnny Gustafson, Chris Slobodian and James Coey.