March 14, 1946 – February 14, 2025
With much sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather Denis MacPhee. Denis was born on 14 March, 1946 and passed unexpectedly on 14 February, 2025 at the St. Boniface Hospital. Denis was the oldest child of Finley and Louise (nee Swain) MacPhee.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Cecelia (Clairmont) and the joy of his life, his sons and their families, Matthew, Melanie (Colin), Ethan, Jenn (Finley) and Zachary, Martine (Ellie and Noah). He is also survived by his sister Carol MacPhee and her son Andrew and sister-in-law Audrey MacPhee and her daughters Bree and Marlee.
He is survived by Cecelia’s family. Sister-in-law Grace Scheler and brothers-in-law Ed Clairmont (Elaine), Frank Clairmont (Lorena), Robert Clairmont (Deb) and Alf Clairmont (Iris) as well as sister-in-law Liz Clairmont. He is survived by his nieces and nephews from the MacPhee, Scheler, Clairmont, Weger and Glass families in Winnipeg and the Field family in Australia.
Denis was predeceased by our first-born Grandchild Devin, his parents Finley and Louise (Swain) MacPhee and brothers Ronald and Bernard MacPhee. He was also predeceased by Cecelia’s parents Angeline and Napoleon Clairmont and two sisters-in-law Jeannine Clairmont and Patricia Clairmont.
Cecelia and Denis met when they were 5 and 6 years old. They started going steady at 14 and 15 and married on 7 January, 1967 and had just celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary.
In 1964, Denis ventured to the USA to join the American army. Thankfully, for us the recruiting officer advised him that he did not have the proper documents. He told him that he could get them and come back but he warned him that he would be shipped off to Vietnam. Denis opted to join the RCAF and during his time with the RCAF at Uplands Airforce Base in Ottawa, he became a Munitions & Weapons Technician and then an Air Traffic Controller. He left the service to return to Winnipeg to upgrade his education and headed to the University for his BA.
In 1972 Denis was accepted at the University of Toronto to pursue a Bachelor of Education degree. He enjoyed practice teaching with High School students. However, he found that the Federal Government salaries were much higher and he accepted a position as Financial Manager with Public Works Canada. In 1978, he won a National competition with IAND and could choose any major city in Canada to be a Financial Manager. He chose Winnipeg as that was where the family support was for their next adventure as parents.
Denis was the Director of Finance for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs until October, 1986 when he chose to leave the Department rather than implement a policy decision by Ottawa to put a number of Bands into Receivership unnecessarily. He later worked for the West Region Tribal Council. Through his efforts, they opened the Four Winds Trading company in the Forks Market. As well, he negotiated the first Indigenous gaming contract in Manitoba.
Denis owned and operated his own racing stable and had the fun of seeing our horses race in Winnipeg, Florida and Toronto. Before we left Toronto in 1978, we witnessed the final race of Secretariat, the greatest horse in racing history. In later years while in Kentucky, he had the opportunity to meet Penny Tweedie, the owner of Secretariat. She signed a beautiful print of Secretariat with a personal message to our family.
Denis’ last employment was with Canada Post. In 2002 at age 55 Denis was hired as a casual Letter Carriere. He worked his way up in the organization and when he retired, he was the Shift 3 Plant Manager.
Denis said his best career move was once retired, he became the caregiver of his three-year old Grandson Colin. He took care of Colin until he was 8 and his family moved to New Brunswick. Next he and Cel were the caregivers for Finley two to three times a week from age 1 until he was off to Grade 1.
His Grandchildren brought him so much joy. On the many sleepovers, he indulged their every wish. He enjoyed spoiling them even if they did tell their parents when they arrived about how many treats they had.
Denis was pleased that he had completed his last project three weeks before his death.
He had been researching his ancestry on his Mother’s side. He received confirmation from the St. Boniface Historical Society that he was of Metis ancestry on his Mother’s side.
We will miss him because he was our port in the storm of life. He could talk on any subject and you knew better to ask him a question if the Sunday night NFL game was starting. He would take the time to explain the answer in great detail. Going to miss all of that. He will always be with us in our thoughts and in our hearts as we relive all the wonderful memories that we shared.
Cremation has taken place.
The Celebration of Life for Denis will be held on Sunday, 25th May, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.at the Norberry-Glenlee Community Centre at 26 Molgat Avenue.
