Wayne Douglas Kuntz

February 12, 1950 – October 1, 2026

If you were lucky enough to have met Wayne Kuntz, you very well must have interacted in one of the very storied chapters of his incredible life.

Wayne passed peacefully in Regina on October 1, 2026, at the age of 76, after a life filled with family, music, football, friendship and a remarkable number of people who were better off for knowing him.

Born in Vancouver, Wayne was adopted as an infant by John and Phillippine “Phil” Kuntz and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Music impacted Wayne at an early age, Wayne joined a band named the Boleros during High School at Miller Comprehensive. He spent decades playing bass and guitar with many talented musicians and bands, including the Tex Pistols and Western Senators. Music provided Wayne a lifetime of friendships, adventures and stories.

Wayne's greatest life treasure was his family

When his grandchildren were young, Papa was the extra set of hands helping get everyone to hockey, games and activities. As they grew, he never stopped showing up. If there was a game, performance or accomplishment to celebrate, Wayne was watching — in person whenever he could and on television when he couldn’t.

He was proud of his family, supported their passions, and everyone knew that "Papa" would be the first to congratulate them.

After retiring from a 20-year career with Service Canada, where he worked in different roles, Wayne became a school bus driver and quickly became much more than that to the families on his route. Parents remembered how safe their children felt with Wayne and how thoroughly he spoiled them.

The pets and animals on that route were not ignored; Wayne carried dog treats on the bus for the dogs and rarely arrived at anyone’s home without something for the animals. Animals loved Wayne, and Wayne loved them right back.

Football....and Wayne Kuntz

An incredibly devoted Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, Wayne understood that football was really the coming together of fans and friends. What began as opening his yard to some visiting Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans grew into something that is now been covered nationally by news networks and sports writers. The now legendary "Wayne's World", became a Labour Day tradition that has brought Rider and Bomber fans together for more than two decades now.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents John and Phil; and his sister Pam.

He leaves behind his children Tim and Kelly Kuntz (Mike); grandchildren Brooke, Johnny, and Ty Carmichael and Maya Morrison; his sister Wendy Mokelki (Chris); and Jody Keller (Ken), Kayla Tiefenbach (Ken), and their children and grandchildren, who remained a deeply loved part of Wayne’s family.

He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family, fellow musicians and bandmates, football friends, school bus families, neighbours, friends and more four-legged admirers than we could ever count.

Wayne was a father and friend to everyone he crossed paths with; he was selfless and empathetic to everyone and tried to include and make everyone feel important and loved.

There is no better legacy than that.

A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish on Tuesday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.

Guests are encouraged to wear their Rider green and white.

And if you’re a Bomber fan, we suppose blue and gold will be accepted too. 😉

Wayne's family would like to extend a very large amount of love and gratitude to the entire staff at Pasqua Intensive Care Unit; your work, empathy, and communication were truly valued.