Obituaries

DOUGLAS ARNOLD CHESTLEY

SEPTEMBER 3, 1956 – JUNE 21, 2023

“Our Doug”

     On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the world became a little dimmer after losing Douglas Arnold Chestley.  It is with wounded hearts we announce that “Doug” passed peacefully surrounded by his loved ones after battling the beast that is pancreatic cancer for almost seven years.

Doug was born on September 3, 1956, to Joe and Rose Chestley in Melfort, SK, the baby of the family of five siblings.  Growing up in small town SK was where Doug’s athletic spark was lit.  It first started when he would run after his brothers on their bikes, and continued as he carved up frozen ponds and rinks on his skates.  The cold prairie winters were where his passion and love of hockey were stoked.  He proudly adorned the number 9 on the back of his black and yellow jersey which made him a lifelong Boston Bruins fan.  At the age of 12, Doug moved to Winnipeg with his family where he continued to thrive as an exemplary athlete. Doug excelled in many sports but was best known as an outstanding hockey player and for breaking records in sprinting and javelin events at track and field.

After graduating from Kildonan East Collegiate in 1974, Doug capitalized on his natural charisma and charm to enter the world of sales and sales management.  Doug spent 20 years working for Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods before seeking a new opportunity where he spent 19 years working as a district sales manager at Burnbrae Farms.  During his career, he excelled by smashing sales goals and records.  However, it was the long-lasting friendships and relationships that Doug fostered that were his greatest achievements.  He was well-loved by those that worked with him as he approached every situation with a jovial good nature and unforgettable humour, even referring to himself as the “Wiener Salesman” and later in his career as the “Egg Man”.  He treated people as he wished to be treated with kindness and respect.

In 1981, Doug met the love of his life, Darlene and in 1985, they were married. Doug was a loving husband who wholeheartedly cherished and possessed a deep-rooted love for Darlene that knew no bounds. Together, they navigated life’s joys and tribulations. Doug and Darlene brought into this world two beautiful daughters, Taeyo and Seylene.  Doug loved and cherished his daughters.  He took pride in being a loving and attentive Father that had an unwavering devotion to his girls. As a father, his presence illuminated Taeyo and Seylene’s lives in immeasurable ways.  Countless times he would drop everything to help his girls out with something as simple as a ride or a much-needed pep talk.  He was their coach, their confidant, and their rock. More than anything Doug loved spending time with his family. Whether it would be packing up the RV, golfing, traveling to Lake Havasu, being at the cabin, fishing, boating, hunting, and most importantly building fires that were feats of engineering to share his many stories and jokes around.

In early September 2016, Doug received the devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  However, this did nothing more than bring out the fighter in Doug.  He faced this disease head-on, with the mantra of “not today” and chose to live and never let his disease phase him.  He would receive chemotherapy one minute and be on the golf course the next.  He made it his mission to stay positive and share that positivity with everyone around him.  He became a beacon of hope in the oncology ward, constantly bringing smiles to the patients and staff with his good humour and costumes, dressing up as Santa Claus, the Hanson brothers (Slapshot), the Covid buster, and many more.  Cancer never stopped Doug from continuing to do the things he loved and spreading joy to the people he loved.

Doug was predeceased by his parents (Joe and Rose), in-laws (Al and Mary), and his sister-in-law (Susan).

Doug leaves behind his loving wife, Darlene, his daughters, Taeyo (Andrew), Seylene (Keaffor), his siblings Glenn (Val), Eleanore, Don, and Gwen (Ted), his cousins, especially Lynn (Doug), his many nieces and nephews, his special friends (Jack and Bill) and his beloved dogs (Crumbs, Boston, Vader, and Ripley).

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the oncology team at Victoria Hospital especially Dr. Kim, Dr. Breshara, Elvira, and Karen.  Your kindness and compassion meant the world to Doug.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Rossmere Golf and Country (925-Watt Street, Winnipeg, MB)

at Rossmere Golf and Country (925-Watt Street, Winnipeg, MB).

If you so wish, donations can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.

Doug was one-of-a-kind and to know him was to love him.  You can shed tears because he is gone but Doug would rather you smile when you think of him.

You will never be forgotten “My Doug”. I Love You Forever, Dar.