Donald Stuart Rudd

Donald Stuart Rudd passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2023 at St. Boniface Palliative Care unit, with family by his side.

Don was born on June 13, 1950 to Ray and Velma Rudd. He answered to many titles, the most common one being his childhood nickname of “Tyke”. However, he also was known as Papa D, THE Donald, Donny Boy, Dazzling Don, Missionary Man, and The Rudder. His favorite title, however, was Dad and Grandpa.

Don will be sadly and lovingly missed by his wife of 53 years, Eleanor (Oakes), along with his children, Derek (Sabina Dell’Acqua) and Cory (Renée Vermette), grandchildren Brett (Quinn), Shayla, Tehvv, Sadie, Keadon and Mia. Don has 2 brothers, Marshall (Joan) and Wayne (Linda), sister Wendy Vanmackelberg (Gerry) and stepbrother Steve (Laurie) Sinclair. He was a special brother-in-law to Barry and Lynda Oakes, Jim and Margaret Ann Anderson, and Carolyn Wong. Many nieces and nephews have stories to tell about their Uncle Tyke and how they laughed at his many jokes told in numerous accents. Don was the Johnny Carson in our family and famous for his many zingers.

Manitoba Hydro employed Don for 37 years, where he developed many lasting friends. After retiring in 2011, he took on a fun job of driving his dream cars with Enterprise. “The Rudder’s” proudest accomplishment was in curling ….1992 Brier Champ competing at the World Curling in Germany and later inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame. He was an avid golfer, played ball, loved camping, fishing and water sports. Family and friends ski trips were highlights of his life as well. You could always find him parked in his armchair cheering for the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers, and didn’t need to be dragged to theatre productions, the many dance recitals, or onto the dance floor. There was no one who enjoyed a good party more than Tyke. He was looking forward to exploring more of the world having visited Italy, Portugal, Spain and sailing the coast around Croatia and the Caribbean, plus spending time in the Yukon, Mexico, Arizona and Texas to name a few.

We are all much better having “THE Donald” share his life with us. Thanks for the memories. Rest in Peace.

Celebration of Life will take place at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd., on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow. Those who wish to join the service online can do so by clicking "Join Livestream" below.

Thank you to the doctors and medical teams who cared for Don. Dr. R. Hayward for many years, Dr. Jas Wong (Scurfield Medical Centre), Dr. Shelley Zieroth’s team at the Heart Function Clinic and Dr. Pilkey’s team from the St. Boniface Palliative Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the St. Boniface Palliative Care.