Obituaries

THOMAS EDWARD MCDOUGALL

August 2, 1953 – November 25, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas (Tom) Edward McDougall on November 25, 2020. After a courageous battle with complications resulting from kidney failure, Tom passed away peacefully at the age of 67 at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba with loving wife Karen at his side.

He will be forever loved and missed by Karen, his sons Craig (Chelsey) and Rob (Chantelle), father Tom Sr. (Lilia), brother Jim (Lisa), grandsons Logan, Bryce and Haiden, nieces Samantha (Joel) and Emily (Thomas), mother-in-law Lois Johnson, brother-in-law Bruce Johnson, aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends. Tom was predeceased by his sister Sharon, mother Marlene, father-in-law Gord, and brother–in-law, Barry.

Tom grew up in a loving home in Kings Park (Winnipeg). He was a strong student and developed into a talented hockey player and all-around athlete. His parents instilled in him a remarkable work-ethic and ability to persevere through life’s many challenges. He and Karen met in high school and started dating after graduation.

Tom and Karen married in 1977, beginning their married life in Alberta, where they lived and worked for seven years. Shortly after the birth of their first-born son Craig in 1982, Tom and Karen relocated back to Manitoba, settling in the wonderful community of Pinawa. There they welcomed second son Rob into the family in 1986. Tom balanced hard work for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), an unwavering commitment to his family, and numerous volunteer and recreational pursuits including golf, hockey, baseball and music, all of which he enjoyed with many friends over the years. Tom was a skilled banjo player and was always keen to participate in a little pickin’ and grinnin’ with a wide assortment of musician friends over the decades. He was a great hockey coach, helping to mold many young people into strong skaters, good passers, and more importantly, team-players and quality people. He loved spending time at his family’s cabin at Beresford Lake, Manitoba, nurturing his sons’ love of fishing and boating with countless trips “up the creek”.

Tom faced some serious health issues that persisted and evolved through the latter half of his life, beginning with a diagnosis of the autoimmune disease Lupus at the age of 30. He was sidelined by illness numerous times over the years that followed, but through his incredibly strong will to live and be with his family and friends, Tom always found a way to look onwards and upwards through recovery and re-assume an otherwise normal life. In doing so, Tom continuously astounded and inspired so many around him.  He retired from AECL in 2012 after almost 30 years of service, at which time he and Karen moved to Winnipeg to be closer to family. In his retirement, Tom cherished his new-found role of “grandpa” and over the years, enjoyed many winter snorkeling trips with family and friends to destinations such as St. Lucia, Mexico, Jamaica, Bonaire, Florida, Hawaii, and Curacao.  In 2016, Tom realized one of his dreams with the purchase of a cottage at Pickerel Lake near Kenora, Ontario. He cherished many beautiful days and fun times at the cottage with family and friends while fishing, swimming, worm hunting, playing crokinole with his fishing buddies, and building campfires with his grandchildren. Pickerel Lake became Tom’s happy place, and we would give anything to grace him with a little more time to enjoy it.

We are eternally grateful to the generous family who, 20 years ago, donated their loved one’s kidney, allowing Tom the gift of 20 more years bursting with love and life with his family and friends. The Manitoba Transplant Clinic and their phenomenal staff have been a lifeline for the last 20 years, providing exceptional medical care and compassion to Tom and Karen, and for that are owed a heartfelt thanks. Thanks also to general physician Dr. Henriette Groenewald for her ongoing care and compassion, as well as to the various Health Sciences Centre staff for assisting us through these difficult final weeks. Lastly, thank you to the many former neighbours and family friends in Pinawa who repeatedly and selflessly dropped everything to help Tom and his family when medical issues arose.

A graveside service for immediate family was held at the St. Vital Cemetery on December 2, 2020. Due to COVID concerns, the date for a celebration of Tom’s life will be planned when it is safe to do so.

Flowers grateful declined. The family asks that you please consider organ donation and register your wishes at signupforlife.ca. Donations in Tom’s name can be made to The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Manitoba Branch.

Tom, we will love you forever.