Dennis Tanguay

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Dennis Tanguay

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dennis Tanguay, at the age of 80, on December 22, 2025 at home, surrounded by his family.

Dennis was born on May 19, 1945 in Souris, Manitoba, the 2nd oldest of 4 children born to Olive and Roy Tanguay. In 1953, Dennis contracted polio and spent approximately 8 months in the King Edward Hospital in Winnipeg while he recovered.

Dennis started working at his family’s store, Macleod’s Hardware, at the age of 11 in 1956. He worked there with his father and grandfather until 1963 when he moved to Winnipeg to attend school. After completing school, Denny moved to Calgary and Drumheller, Alberta where he worked in finance.

In 1970, Dennis returned to Souris to operate Souris Plastics Ltd which his father started. Three years later in 1973, Dennis and his brother Bill purchased Macleod’s Hardware from their father and grandfather. In 1974, Bill and Dennis dropped the Macleod’s franchise and joined Link Hardware, which in 1981 amalgamated with Home Hardware.

On November 10, 1979, Dennis married Cheryl Hale who was the love of his life. Denny and Cheryl welcomed Laura in 1981 and Brad in 1983. In 2007, Crystal and Ethan joined the family, followed by Jaret in 2008. Rylin completed the family in 2011. He loved being “Grandpa Toba” to Rylin.

Over the years, Denny was involved with the Cardinals’ ball team, Elks Hockey, Chamber of Commerce, Fair Board, Tournament of Champions, raising funds for high school football equipment, and coached minor ball, was a scout leader, managed Brad’s hockey team, and was the leader of the Souris 4-H Beef Club for several years. Dennis served one term as a town councillor and one term as mayor of Souris.

Tanguay’s Hardware, also know to family as “the store,” was more than just a business. Dennis saw it as a way of serving the community. Whether it was the at-home service to fix an older adult’s TV (also known as changing the remote’s batteries), or giving back to local town initiatives, or going up to the store at 10pm on a Sunday to get someone a sump pump, Dennis was always there, without complaint. He ensured staff understood the importance of customer service and that customers needed to be greeted and served with a smile.

Throughout their time of owning the store, Bill and Dennis employed over 60 people. They were widely regarded as kind and caring employers, with many loyal employees over the years. He enjoyed mentoring staff, and ensured they learned very important life skills, such as counting back change, ensuring dollar bills were all lined up the same way, and when using a box cutter, to ensure to cut away from yourself. In 1999, Tanguay’s Hardware was awarded the top honors as one of the best Home Hardware dealers in Canada, which was no surprise to anyone in Souris, who were all well acquainted with the exceptional customer service that could be found there. In 2004, Bill and Dennis sold the store, which freed Denny up to engage in a variety of other community initiatives.

During his retirement, Dennis was a volunteer driver for Cancer Care. He also did the books for the Avalon Theatre for years and audited the accounts of several non-profit organizations, which of course was right up his alley because we all know how much he loved ensuring the books were balanced. Denny was also involved in helping the Filipino nurses settle into Souris sixteen years ago. He truly valued the relationships he built with the Filipino community over the years.

In their retirement, Bill and Denny, along with Bill Sanderson and Denny’s dog, Bacon, would walk the streets around town, solving the world’s problems. Denny was an avid puzzler and could complete a puzzle very quickly when Cheryl gave him a deadline to get it off the dining room table.

Denny was known for his love of animals. Bacon, a chocolate lab, was well known for accompanying Denny all over town; the 2 were inseparable. After Bacon’s death, Denny stated that there would be no more pets in their home. That lasted for only a couple of years. A very special chocolate lab, named Bear, moved in across the back lane. Bear and Denny developed a very close bond and spent most mornings together over the past 9 years.

During his retirement, Denny became the pet sitter for family and friends. The dogs, too many to name, were all obsessed with Denny….and also Denny’s blue truck. The number of dogs in town that knew the sound of Denny’s truck was almost comical. The rumble that you heard on December 22 was the stampede at the rainbow bridge as all of the cats and dogs who loved him that had passed before him raced to greet him with kisses.

Dennis was predeceased by his mother and father, Olive and Roy Tanguay, his father-in-law, Walter Hale, and his brother, William Tanguay.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl, his children Laura (Jaret) and Brad (Crystal), his grandchildren, Ethan and Rylin, his mother-in-law, Alice Hale, his sisters Pat (George) Hickling and Maryanne Carlisle, his sister-in-laws Betty Tanguay, Charlene (Doug) Hollyoake and Colleen (Darren) Carlson, and brother-in-law Warren (Nancy) Hale, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris on December 27, 2025 with interment in the Souris-Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Dennis, donations may be made to the Souris-Glenwood Fire Department c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, MB R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Personal Home Courtyard Fund c/o Prairie Mountain Health Box 10 Souris, MB R0K 2C0.

Tributes: www.kowalchuks.net

DENNIS TANGUAY

Dennis, 80 years, beloved husband of Cheryl Tanguay, father of Laura (Jaret) and Brad (Crystal), grandpa of Ethan and Rylin. Dennis passed away at his residence in Souris, Manitoba on December 22, 2025.

A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

In memory of Dennis, donations may be made to the Souris-Glenwood Fire Department c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Personal Care Home Court Yard Fund c/o Prairie Mountain Health Box 10 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.

Tributes: www.kowalchuks.net

DENNIS TANGUAY

Dennis, 80 years, beloved husband of Cheryl Tanguay, father of Laura (Jaret) and Brad (Crystal), grandpa of Ethan and Rylin. Dennis passed away at his residence in Souris, Manitoba on December 22, 2025.

A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

In memory of Dennis, donations may be made to the Souris-Glenwood Fire Department c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Personal Care Home Court Yard Fund c/o Prairie Mountain Health Box 10 Souris, Manitoba R0K 2C0.

Tributes: www.kowalchuks.net

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 23, 2025, Dec 24, 2025, Jan 03, 2026