Obituary for Douglas Lloyd Bottley
Douglas Lloyd Bottley
July 17, 1933 – January 20, 2023
Douglas Lloyd Bottley passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Born on July 17, 1933 in Brandon, Doug was raised, educated and spent his entire life in Brandon. He was the last male member of the Samuel Gilmour pioneer family in Brandon. Doug spent the first twelve years of his working career with the Canadian Pacific Railway, working in the round house and as a fireman, mostly on steam locomotives. In 1963, he joined the Brandon City Police Service working as an Identification Specialist in the Forensic Identification unit. He retired as Sergeant (badge #15) on December 31, 1993.
During their 45-year marriage, Doug and Doreen travelled in their motorhome throughout the States and to Kananaskis Country. They would spend weeks camped on the lot at Clear Lake playing canasta, watching the wildlife and huge bonfires. Doug enjoyed splitting wood and riding the little red lawnmower towing the wagon behind full of wood.
Doug was a volunteer member at the Brandon Humane Society. His love of animals, especially poodles, led to the adoption of his favourite, little Joey, who was a constant travelling companion. He played cards on Thursdays at Seniors for Seniors and often was MC, as well as actor and choir member for the many pageants. Perhaps his two favourite hobbies were pool and puzzles. We believe that he is the undefeated BPS pool champ. He always had a camera nearby, snapping pictures of trains, beautiful scenery and wildlife. After retiring, you could often find Doug in his “man shed” working on another beautiful wood picture which was a gift for family or friend.
Walking into a restaurant with Doug could sometimes be a lengthy process because he was always stopping to talk with at least one other customer. Always a gentleman with a good sense of humour, a keen wit and a memory for names and historical events, he touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.
Doug was predeceased by his father Harry in 1975, his mother Matilda “Tillie” in 1980, brother Hughie in 1933, brother Bill in 2000, his first wife Muriel (nee McGillivray) in 1976 and stepson James Muir in 2016.
Left to mourn and cherish his memory are his wife Doreen, son Rick (Debbie) Kilmury of Oakbank, MB and their families, and Doreen’s two sons, John Muir of Jasper, AB and family and Larry Muir of Fort McMurray, AB, and good friend Randy Gammack.
The Celebration of Doug’s Life was held at Memories Chapel on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 followed by a private family graveside service at Brandon Cemetery.
Our heartfelt thanks to the Members of the Brandon Police Service for the Honour Guard and the procession to the cemetery.
Sincere thanks to the Very Reverend Don Bernhardt and Reverend Jacob Friesen for such a beautiful service, to Wayne Balcaen, Chief of Police for the meaningful eulogy, to the staff of Memories Chapel for being so patient and helpful arranging the funeral and to the nurses and doctors at BRHC for looking after Dad that night.
Our trips to Brandon will never be the same.
“See ya Dad”
“Bye for Now”
July 17, 1933 – January 20, 2023
Douglas Lloyd Bottley passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Born on July 17, 1933 in Brandon, Doug was raised, educated and spent his entire life in Brandon. He was the last male member of the Samuel Gilmour pioneer family in Brandon. Doug spent the first twelve years of his working career with the Canadian Pacific Railway, working in the round house and as a fireman, mostly on steam locomotives. In 1963, he joined the Brandon City Police Service working as an Identification Specialist in the Forensic Identification unit. He retired as Sergeant (badge #15) on December 31, 1993.
During their 45-year marriage, Doug and Doreen travelled in their motorhome throughout the States and to Kananaskis Country. They would spend weeks camped on the lot at Clear Lake playing canasta, watching the wildlife and huge bonfires. Doug enjoyed splitting wood and riding the little red lawnmower towing the wagon behind full of wood.
Doug was a volunteer member at the Brandon Humane Society. His love of animals, especially poodles, led to the adoption of his favourite, little Joey, who was a constant travelling companion. He played cards on Thursdays at Seniors for Seniors and often was MC, as well as actor and choir member for the many pageants. Perhaps his two favourite hobbies were pool and puzzles. We believe that he is the undefeated BPS pool champ. He always had a camera nearby, snapping pictures of trains, beautiful scenery and wildlife. After retiring, you could often find Doug in his “man shed” working on another beautiful wood picture which was a gift for family or friend.
Walking into a restaurant with Doug could sometimes be a lengthy process because he was always stopping to talk with at least one other customer. Always a gentleman with a good sense of humour, a keen wit and a memory for names and historical events, he touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed.
Doug was predeceased by his father Harry in 1975, his mother Matilda “Tillie” in 1980, brother Hughie in 1933, brother Bill in 2000, his first wife Muriel (nee McGillivray) in 1976 and stepson James Muir in 2016.
Left to mourn and cherish his memory are his wife Doreen, son Rick (Debbie) Kilmury of Oakbank, MB and their families, and Doreen’s two sons, John Muir of Jasper, AB and family and Larry Muir of Fort McMurray, AB, and good friend Randy Gammack.
The Celebration of Doug’s Life was held at Memories Chapel on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 followed by a private family graveside service at Brandon Cemetery.
Our heartfelt thanks to the Members of the Brandon Police Service for the Honour Guard and the procession to the cemetery.
Sincere thanks to the Very Reverend Don Bernhardt and Reverend Jacob Friesen for such a beautiful service, to Wayne Balcaen, Chief of Police for the meaningful eulogy, to the staff of Memories Chapel for being so patient and helpful arranging the funeral and to the nurses and doctors at BRHC for looking after Dad that night.
Our trips to Brandon will never be the same.
“See ya Dad”
“Bye for Now”