Donald Wayne McLeod
January 15, 1966 – May 14, 2021
As published in the May 31, 2021 World-Spectator
With broken hearts we announce that our beloved Donald Wayne McLeod at the young age of 55, peacefully died on the 14th of May 2021 at his acreage near Balmoral, Manitoba with his family, after a short but fierce battle with cancer.
Wayne was born January 15, 1966 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan. When he was young, Wayne’s first job was delivering the local paper and with his dedication to deliver these papers he won his first work related award, the Regina Leader Post watch. In his teens he worked summers as the Lifeguard at the pool, then as a butcher at Moosomin Coop. He graduated in 1984 from McNaughton High School and not surprisingly was presented with the Congeniality Award. In 1986 he began his future goal to get his pilot’s license. He reminisced all the time about the drive to Brandon with his fellow airplane enthusiast Terry McGonigal and in 1989 he received his Commercial pilots license from the Brandon Flying School in Manitoba. His first aviation job was with historic La Ronge Aviation in Lynn Lake, Manitoba and he later flew out of their main base in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. This is where he met and married his coworker and love of his life Janice (Boy); to which these best friends just celebrated their 25th year anniversary on May 4.
Wayne was an impeccable hard worker and would “just get it done,” so naturally he worked his way up through the ranks and excelled through various types of aircraft. From Bush planes flying in Northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan to soaring in the beautiful Canadian Artic flying medevacs in the most adverse flying conditions. Then flew with the Province of Manitoba Water Bombers and Life Flight Program. After he flew internationally to pick up the Snowbirds sunning in warm destinations by air ambulance jet until he finally settled with his supporting young family in Winnipeg and area. Up to his last days here on earth, he finished his career as the EIC Presidential awarded President and Accountable Executive of Keewatin Air LP. In those 15 years as President; Wayne led Keewatin Air to become the all-inclusive Air Medical Company delivering the latest in aviation, medical and communications technology to the same Canadian Arctic that he flew in years before. During this time, he also was a highly respected three year President of the Northern Air Transport Board (NATA) and held a seat on the Board of Directors for Manitoba Aerospace and was invited to take part to various aviation groups throughout Canada. His dedicated hard work, knowledge, integrity, transparency, and passion of aviation was known from all his past and current staff; his parent company Exchange Income Corp (EIC) and all their subsidiaries; Government associates, Canadian and US aviation companies and of course fellow aviators that he worked with along the way.
Wayne is survived by his again co-worker wife Janice and their children Mitchell, Carlee and Mackenzie. His parents Don and Mary McLeod of Moosomin, Saskatchewan; Sister Rose Marie (Peter) of Westbank, British Columbia; Sister Barb (Dano) of Langford, British Columbia; Sister Debbie (Dan) of Duncan, British Columbia and his brother Darryl (Donna) of Yorkton, Saskatchean. He was treasured by his numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins. Janice’s parents Fred and Mary Boy adored Wayne as their son-in-law as well as all her sisters, brothers and their children.
Even though he lived a very hectic lifestyle, he still made the time to take part in his beloved children’s successful local interests; Interlake Lightning Triple A Midgets and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Manitoba Thunder A Fast Ball, and their Stonewall High School Hockey team and Band concerts.
Wayne’s other loves was riding his treasured Indian Roadmaster with the local Winnipeg chapter, Cruise ship sailing around the world and loved spending time with his close friends and his highly respected work managers and peers. His passion for his work took him to some of his favorite memories of NASCAR races, Reno Air Races, Las Vegas Speedway; Winnipeg Jets games, various music concerts and Executive meetings throughout North America. In his past, he was a Volunteer Fireman in Lynn Lake and La Ronge and modestly showed off his skills as a fisherman and water-skier and downhill skier.
Wayne’s parents were proud of the incredible successful man he became, and his siblings cherished his tremendous support and compassion that he shared among them equally.
His wife and children admired his prominent strength, and in turn his adoration and devotion to them was equally returned to him 10-fold.
Wayne has touched many lives along the way, and you were blessed to receive his advice, or to just be there to sit and enjoy a great conversation with him. His gift for seeing the good side of those he met and bringing out your best by mentoring was admired. His persona was riveting, and now he will be always remembered by everyone in his family’s tribute to him.
In his favorite Indian Motorcycle T-Shirt, Wayne was cremated so that his friends and family will be invited to join them in a Celebration of Wayne’s Life gathering at their acreage at a time and date that will be announced once Covid-19 restrictions have subsided.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you can donate with your name at Jasperson’s Greenhouse 204-467-2081. The family is creating a memorial garden in his honor. Every perennial, shrub and tree will be handpicked and ensured that when they are planted, every year the memories of those he touched will grow bigger and bloom forever.
To also express condolences please visit MacKenzie Funeral Home website.
Janice and their children would like to express their utmost gratitude to the amazing Interlake-Eastern RHA Home Care workers: Kim, Tessa and Rilda; and to the compassion that the Palliative team of Christine Skakum, Dr. Graham and the EMS staff displayed to allow Wayne to pass at their family Manitoba home.
As Wayne flies above us on his latest mission flight, we will always remember our dear Son, Brother, Husband, Father, In-Law, Friend and Co-Worker.
We miss you, Captain D. Wayne McLeod, but we are comforted as we know you will watch over us with your irresistible smile. Fly Safe.
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