Douglas Clarence Empey

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Douglas Clarence Empey on April 3, 2025 just two days short of his 94th birthday.

Doug was born in Kincaid, Saskatchewan on April 5th, 1931 to Leonard and Inger Empey.  He was raised on the family farm and completed his Grade 12 schooling at Aneroid School District #2704.  In 1954, Doug started working for the Aneroid Co-op Association as manager while completing an accounting course by correspondence from Kansas State University as well as taking the Local Government Administration courses.  He received his Class C Certificate and in 1966, he was employed by R. M. of Whiska Creek #106 as their secretary-treasurer and remained there until 1980, receiving his Class A Certificate in 1970. 

In 1980, Doug accepted the position as the Administrator of the R. M. of Kindersley No. 290 and remained there until his retirement in 1996.  During that time, he was elected to the RMAA board, first as Director of his division, then as Vice-President, President, Past-President and finally as Executive Director from 1988 to 1995.  Doug spent 21 years on the RMAA executive and served on many committees during that time.

In 1996, Doug was awarded the prestigious Lou Jacobs Award which is an award given to persons who have made outstanding contributions to rural government and community life in Saskatchewan.

In July of 1980, Doug married Doreen Hazel who sadly passed away in October of that same year.

Doug was an active member of the United Church in Aneroid, Vanguard and Kindersley.  In Kindersley he was on the board for 8 years, 4 years as Chairman.  He served as treasurer for the Committee from Rosetown Presbytery that put on the Banff Men’s Conference in 1990 and co-chaired the committee that put on the Saskatchewan Conference in Kindersley in 1992.

Doug was a member of both the Lions Club in Vanguard and in Kindersley, serving as President in both clubs and Zone Chairman while at Vanguard.

Doug belonged to the Masonic Blue Lodge for many years and served twice as Master of the Lodge in Vanguard; also as Master for one year.  He was a member of the Eagle Lake Chapter #20 Masonic Lodge in Kindersley, serving as First Principal for one year and secretary-treasurer from 1985 to 1991.  He was also a member of the Goose Lake Shrine Club, serving one year as President and one year as treasurer.

While still in Aneroid, Doug was in the Reserve Army and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Kindersley Branch, serving two terms as President.

Doug loved curling and was in charge of the opening ceremonies when the Labatt Tankard was held in Kindersley in 1990.  He also loved dancing, liked to travel and spent much of his leisure time golfing.

In 2019, Doug moved to Caleb with his partner, Esther Leipert. There, he enjoyed the camaraderie of living in a Seniors’ Complex, playing cards and taking part in any type of entertainment that he could.

Doug was predeceased by his wife Doreen, brother Walter and his wife Lela, sister Mildred, brother Kenneth and brother-in-law Alf Askew.

He leaves to mourn his partner, Esther; his step-children Glenda Giles (Clayton), Dale Hazel (Judy), Gordon Hazel (Glenda); sister Gloria Askew and sister-in-law Bev Empey.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s United Church, Box 238, Kindersley, SK  S0L 1S0

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