William DUCHARME

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DUCHARME: William Anthony (Bill) Ducharme. Bill Ducharme, dearly beloved Dad, “Papa Bill”, friend, avid sports fan, and well known and respected slow pitch Umpire, passed away on June 3, 2009 at St. Boniface Hospital, at 70 years of age. Born in Brandon, MB, November 11, 1938, he attended Brandon Collegiate Institute, enjoyed the Dramatics’ Society, and played on the Varsity Basketball Team. Bill played baseball with the Brandon Cloverleafs and Athletics, and free-lanced for the Sports Department of the Brandon Sun. In 1958, Bill started his five year career with the Royal Bank in Brandon. He was transferred to the Fort Garry Branch in Winnipeg, then to Port Arthur, Ontario, where he worked in the Fort William and Atikokan branches. During his time in the Lakehead, Bill played baseball for the Port Arthur Red Sox, playing on three North Western Ontario championship teams. Broomball, basketball, and fastball teams were also on his agenda. He also enjoyed a return to dramatics with the Hill City Players. Returning to Winnipeg, Bill spent 27 years with The Canadian Motorways Company, where for the last seven years he was their National Credit Manager. After CML closed down, he became credit and collection manager for United Messenger until his retirement in 2002. In the sixties, Bill free-lanced for The Winnipeg Free Press, covering Senior Hockey. He also did publicity for the St. Boniface Mohawks. It was a thrill for him to attend the Allen Cup with the Mohawks in 1967. Bill was also on the executive of The Manitoba Senior Hockey League. He was involved in his community being on the executive of the Fort Garry Community Centre, and coached both his son and daughter in hockey and baseball. Bill was formerly a member of St. Paul’s Anglican church and served on the Parish council as fundraiser. Bill loved the excitement of a good game of racquet ball, and played Slow Pitch prior to becoming a Slow Pitch Umpire. He served in this capacity for the past twenty years, and loved every minute of his time at the ball park, especially officiating in the Slow Pitch Provincials and Nationals. Bill was an adoring Papa, and loved the hours spent with his grandboys, as well as time spent with family and friends in Winnipeg and Brandon. In recent years Bill experienced winter travel destinations, although Clear Lake always remained his favourite holiday spot. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Florence (Howe) and Joseph Emile (Tony) Ducharme, and his sister, Colleen Griffin. Bill will be greatly missed by his daughter Jennifer Ducharme (Mark Burym), son Jeffery Ducharme (Shantelle Cnockaert), his grandboys, Jacob, Ryan, Eric, Noah and Evan, and his “Forever friend”, Karen. Bill is also survived by his brother-in-law, Tony Griffin; nieces, Suesan (Le Mont) Edwards, and Maria (Amar) Boudehane; nephews, Christopher (Karin) Griffin and Darius Griffin, as well as Aunts Gladys (Jack) Webb, Kae Howe and Lorna Cowan, cousins Wendy (Ian) McVicor, Warren (Jane) Howe, Doug Howe, Bill (Chris) Howe, Brian (Barb) Howe, Gail (Charlie) Abbott, Patsey (Jim) Downey, and great-nieces and nephews. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Linda and Sherri, palliative care nurses at St. Boniface Hospital , for their kindness and support. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 2700 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, on Tuesday, June 9 at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Ian Mills officiating. A reception will follow immediately in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Memorial Fund or a charity of one’s choice. The Coutu Family in Care of Arrangements: E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors, 680 Archibald Street, 253-5086.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 06, 2009