Douglas RONEY

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RONEY: Douglas Morley Roney. Morley passed away at the Wawanesa Health Centre on Sunday November 2, 2014 at the age of 92 years. He was born May 18, 1922 in Wawanesa, the second child of Richard and Mae (Foote) Roney. Morley is survived by son Jim (Susan) of Spirit River AB, daughter Janice (Bob) McDonald of Wawanesa, son-in-law Matt Johnston of Wawanesa, grandchildren Dustin (Courtney) Johnston, Katie Roney (Brandon Belec), Kimberly Johnston, Charlie Roney, Tanner McDonald and Emily Roney; great grandson Corey Johnson; special family friends Barb Raison, Cam and Jene Raison, and Alana Raison; brother Bill (Ainsley)Roney of Wawanesa and sister Marlene Snyder of Dauphin, MB; sisters-in-law Flora Prideaux and Lavern Scott as well as numerous nieces and nephews & extended family & friends. He was predeceased by his wife Jean (nee Scott) in 1990, daughter Arlene Johnston in 2001, Brother Clayton; and brother and sister-in-law Barry and Connie Roney; Brothers-in-law, John Scott, Kelvin Scott and Alf Prideaux, and Sister-in-Law Muriel and her husband Don Stouffer. As a young boy Morley worked at Noton Dairy in Wawanesa delivering milk to customers in the community. He could still recite his milk run customer list to anyone who asked, it was amazing how he could list out all his customers so quickly & fast. He lived his entire live in Wawanesa, a village he loved, except for the four & half years he spent overseas while serving in WWII. Dad was a member of the 70th Battery Field Artillery & later served in 1st Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He was proud to have served his country. He has shared many stories of war times with family. After the war he worked at the local Co-op, delivering barrels of gas. But the job he loved the most was driving a gravel truck. This job took dad all over southern Manitoba, where he made many lifelong friends. Dad was a real people person, everywhere he went he’d meet someone he knew. Mom & Dad were married February 23, 1957, making their home at 304 Water Street, in Wawanesa. A home they built together, and where he lived until his passing, enjoying his well-manicured front lawn & his new paved driveway. In the early 1960’s Dad bought his first backhoe & began his trenching business which he owned & operated until his retirement in spring of 1984. Dad was a hard worker & was well respected by everyone. Dad touched many people lives, he was a best friend as well as a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa & great grandpa. He was a wonderful neighbor, an uncle to many of our friends & known as Grandpa Morley to many children in the community. Dad was passionate about family & friends. Last year in September Dad became a celebrity, not by choice…. making his TV debute on CTV Winnipeg, through social media on Facebook as his story of finding his comrade in Arms Jimmie Griffiths grave in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery in Italy by a distant cousin but also his family who had been searching for 69 years. This discover had brought peace & closure to dad after 69 years of wondering if & where his friend had been buried……..The Poppy Trail Story will live on, through this story our Dad will never be far away. A celebration of Morley’s life was held on Thursday November 6, 2014 at Wawanesa United Church @ 2:00 PM with Rev. Harvey Hurren officiating. Interment took place in the Wawanesa Cemetery. Friends that so desire, memorials in Morleys memory to the Wawanesa Waterpark, Box 427 Wawanesa, Manitoba, R0K-2G0 or to a charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend our sincere thank-you to Dr. Della Lee, Vicki Wenger NP for their care & compassion given to dad over the years & in the past few months. To the wonderful nursing staff, & all support staff for the professional, dedicated & exceptional care given to our dad while in your care over the past few months. Online condolences can be made by visiting www.willmorchapel.com. Jamieson’s Funeral Services, Willmor Chapel, Glenboro were in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 08, 2014