Douglas Anthony Kwiatkowski

 Douglas Anthony Kwiatkowski passed away suddenly at his home in Elphinstone, MB on April 24, 2023.  He is survived by wife Beverly (McIntyre), son Cameron (Kirsten) and daughter Jillian (David).  Siblings Shirley Chaput (Arthur), Louise (Burns),Tom,Felix, Greg, John and Cyril (Cathy),  and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Tony and Doris (Shindruk) and his older brother Hank.

Doug grew up in Elphinstone, attending the Roman Catholic church where he served many years as altar boy.  He was an athlete excelling at all sports, including hockey and figure skating.   As the only boy in the local figure skating club, he was much in demand as a skating partner.  His hockey skills were in demand as well, and when the local Keeseekoowenin team needed an extra player, they called on Doug to join them. Doug  learned to take on responsibility early.    He worked with his parents in the grocery store and helped with the  younger siblings.   When Doug was 16, his father Tony passed away bringing added responsibilities.   He became the family patriarch, helping his mom Doris in the store and with raising the family.  When Doug was 23 his mom passed away, adding more responsbility.  One of his brothers years later remarked  that the problem with Doug’s patriarch role is  that he took the role a bit too seriously, and continued to try to raise them for many years after they became adults.

In 1978,  Doug decided to follow older brother Hank’s footsteps and join the RCMP, graduating from depot in Regina in 1979.  Doug's first posting was in Alberta followed by several years of northern postings in the Yukon, Northern Territories and Nunavut.   While in Fort Simpson, NT in 1988,  he married  Beverly McIntyre, who was working as a nurse in the north at the time and it was in the north they started their family. 

In  1992 the family started edging south, living first in Edson, AB, and then  Stony Plain, where most of the kids’ growing up years were.  Doug ensured there were lots of fun times for the family.  Cam and Jill enjoyed snowmobiling, quadding, camping and fishing.   The kids also loved their sliding hill behind the house at Stony Plain where Doug had the spotlights set up for night use as well.   He enjoyed watching the neighbor kids join in for sliding parties.    

Over the years, Doug and Bev took many trips to see the BC relatives and the Manitoba relatives, so that Cam and Jill could spend time with their cousins on both the Kwiatkowski side and the McIntyre side.  Cam and Jill have vivid memories of the Kwiatkowski family reunions, where all the uncles would be talking at once at the top of their voices, until Doug interjected a growl or even a roar to settle everyone down.   The kids and their cousins also have great memories of campfires and large gatherings of family, friends and neighbours at “the farm”  south of Elphinstone.

Doug’s final RCMP posting  was in Regina.  By this time he was a Sergeant, and had served for 34 years before retiring in 2011.  He was well known, and highly respected within the RCMP family.  Doug made many lasting friendships at his various postings, many of whom have kept in touch with him over the years.

Retirement presented many options regarding where to live and he  eventually settled in Elphinstone,  coming full circle back to his home community.  Here he and his little dog Georgia spent countless hours having coffee with his many life long friends.  While living in Elphinstone, Doug became the official groundskeeper and was active on the town advisory committee.  He also visited and transported people to medical appointments and delivered meals to the elderly and shut ins on special occasions.   Doug will be deeply missed by all who knew him and his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

 A memorial service for Doug was held on Saturday, April 29 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Elphinstone.  Fr. Marcelino Bandico and Very Rev. Michael Kwiatkowski officiated.  Interment was in the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cemetary followed by a reception in the Memorial Hall.

Donations in Doug's memory may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or Charity of Choice.