Delwyn Ward

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Delwyn Ivor Ward, while on vacation in Florida at the age of 76 years old.

Del was born January 1st, 1948 in Dauphin Manitoba, the youngest of four children to Robert George Ward and Doris Ward. Del is predeceased by his parents, Robert in 1964 and Doris in 1975, son Michael in 1994, step daughter Karla in 1998 as well as brothers Reg in 2012, Lewis in 2014, and a brother who died in infancy, and his loving wife Beverly in 2020.

Del is survived by his son Darren (Carmen) Ward, stepdaughters Christine (Phil) Waite, and Karen (Rusty) Graham, and grandchildren Michael, Kieran, Hannah, Mason, Josie, Bob, Geoff and Lila, as well as his Nieces and Nephews. Del is also survived by his lifelong friend and companion Kathy Vandenberg.

Del was born in Dauphin Manitoba. It was the closest hospital to where they lived in Deepdale Manitoba (close to Roblin), where his father Robert was a teacher in a one room schoolhouse. After a few years, his father took a teaching position in The Pas and the family moved North. I remember him saying how he recalled having to get towed through the bog and corduroy road on the way there and how his Mother was wondering what they got themselves into. While in The Pas, there was an outbreak of polio so Dad was sent to Flin Flon to live with his brother Reg and wife Francis until his parents rejoined him in Flin Flon a short time later.

Del’s early years in Flin Flon were formative, much like many Flin Flonners. There really was no community like it. The days spent at Phantom lake, all of the community sports and events that were so prevalent in those days and the tight knit community shaped who he would become. There were friendships made that are still as strong today as back then.

In the mid 60’s, Del and the boys decided they wanted to be rock and roll stars and got a band together. There were many bands in town in those years, Flin Flon was (and is) so full of talented people. The dances at the Jubilee Hall were a huge influence in their lives, where their skills as musicians were honed. There were a few incarnations of the band over the years with members coming and going and in 1967 the Lads submitted a demo tape and Out of The Blue was chosen to play at Expo 67 in Montreal. Del, Bill Putko, Brett Davie, Paul Bergman and Murray Troncin jumped on the train under the watchful eye of Bob Putko and headed off to Montreal for the experience of a lifetime. Can you imaging these young fellas from the bush in Montreal! I recall Dad saying that it was the first time that they had eaten pizza and got to experience so many firsts. The friendship he had with his bandmates lasted a lifetime and he cherished that.

In 1972 Del married Kathleen Sexsmith and in April of 1973, I was born. In 1976 we moved from Flin Flon to Benito Manitoba, where my Del ran the newly opened Dembinski’s store. In 1977, while still living in Benito, Del and Kathy’s second son Michael John was born and shortly after, Del and Kathy and family moved back to Flin Flon. In 1980, the family moved to Prince George BC for a new opportunity. While living in Prince George, Del and Kathy’s marriage ended and after a two year stop in Saskatoon, Del and Darren moved back to Flin Flon in 1986, with Michael joining a year later. Del and Bill Hanson started a construction business together, and after a while he took a position managing the Stylerite Dept store in Flin Flon.

In the early 90’s Del took the training to become an investment advisor and insurance salesman and went to work for The Mutual Group. It was around this time that Dad met Bev. They were head over heels for each other, and moved in together in 1992.

In 1994, tragedy struck and Del and Kathy’s son Michael’s life was taken by an accident. This was a life changing event for everyone, but this also brought us all closer together. Del and Bev had a great relationship with Kathy and her husband Gary, visiting when they were in town, and also travelling to their home to visit. The four of them were really an example of co-parenting done right.

In 1995/96 they bought Home Hardware with business partners Dave and Betty Kendall and operated the store for approximately 10 years, before moving to Vancouver Island. In 2011 Del and Bev returned to Flin Flon when they purchased Nordmark Realty, which Del operated until 2024.

In 2020, Del lost his loving wife Bev after a long battle with cancer.

In the fall of 2023, Del moved out to White Lake with Darren and Carmen to live in his cabin and become fully involved in their new business venture. He never missed a goat walk, always bringing up the rear making sure nobody was left behind.

Del was immensely proud of his Grandchildren and was so happy with Michael taking his trade with Manitoba Hydro, and was absolutely tickled that Kieran was following in his footsteps and taking up music and playing in a couple bands. Dad was also proud of his Community and Flin Flon. He would always say, ‘There’s no place like it”.

In lieu of flowers, we would ask for friends to make a donation in Del’s memory to one of the following organizations, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the North of 54 Frontline Dog Rescue.

A Celebration of Life for Delwyn will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 beginning at 7:00PM at Johnny's Social Club, 177 Green Street, Flin Flon, Manitoba.