Douglas Vincent Kutcher

Left to share Douglas’ story, are his wife Monica; his parents Audrey and Tony Kutcher; his siblings Roy, Betty Ann (Doug) Salisbury, and Debra; his mother-in-law Marianne Peters; brothers-in-law Horst (Heidi), Manfred (Daile), Walter (Debbie), Werner (Janice), and Gerhard (Kristen); his sister-in-law Heidi (Bruce); many Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and a grand total of 24 nephews and nieces; 4 great nephews and one great niece. He was predeceased by his sister, Arlene.

Douglas grew up on his parents’ farm, just outside of Dauphin, MB. He was proud to tell everyone, and anyone, that he never missed a day of school, from grade 1 until his graduation from Dauphin Regional Secondary School, in 1983. Douglas always said that he never worked a day in his life because he never left school. After high school, he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Manitoba (1990) and his Bachelor of Education from the University of Brandon (1994). He taught in Texas, Dauphin Ochre School Division, Cross Lake, Norway House, Whitemouth, and spent his final high school years with the Louis Riel School division at J. H. Bruns and Glenlawn Collegiate.

His greatest source of joy was his nieces and nephews. When we were married in 2002, he bragged to his students that he had gained eleven nieces and nephews in one day! Only the kids on his wavelength were able to solve that riddle. He loved traveling out to BC to see his nieces and to spoil them with his attention and bad behaviour. At any family function, Douglas could be found at the “kids table”, playing games, telling stories, and teaching them inappropriate things. Douglas also taught Drivers’ Education for many years, and several of his nieces got the benefit of his endless patience and calm demeanor, when he took them out on the road to practice their new driving skills.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had a faithful fan in Douglas for well over a decade! We never left a game early because the team might just rally at the very end and pull off a win!

Finding a good deal on a travel website was one of Douglas’ favourite things to do. It was on these tropical vacations that Douglas’ love for Hawaiian shirts began.

In January of 2014, Douglas was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. He survived 50 rounds of chemotherapy and 10 radiation treatments. Douglas never complained.

I would like to express my gratitude to the exceptional care givers at the Buhler Cancer Centre – Victoria General Hospital. Special thanks to Dr. Chris Ogaranko, who was Douglas’ primary physician, and to all the nurses, and support staff, who listened to Douglas’ stories, and who shared in our joy and heartache. I am afraid to name you all, for fear of missing even one of you. I hope you know how much you are appreciated and loved! And a special thank you to the extraordinary staff at the St Boniface Palliative Care Unit who cared for both Douglas and me with kindness, compassion, and dignity. My gratitude is immeasurable.

A celebration of Douglas’ life will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 4:00 pm at Norwood Community Centre, 87 Walmer Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Hawaiian shirts and bright clothing are encouraged!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Buhler Cancer Centre – Victoria General Hospital Foundation, or to the Louis Riel School Division Trust, “Glenlawn Trades Program”.