Tributes are beginning to roll in for longtime local lawyer and community supporter Doug Deans, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 75.
Deans was instrumental in the start and development of the Dauphin Ducks Unlimited chapter, and played a pivotal role in the creation and development of the Dead River Duck Habitat in Vermillion Park.
Local Ducks Unlimited member Luke McMillan says his support of Ducks Unlimited also stretched to the provincial level.
"He also donated from his professional life as a lawyer. He donated a lot of free legal services to Ducks Unlimited on a provincial level, when they were purchasing land or having land transfers that were donated from farmers. He donated a lot of his time and legal services that would have amounted to being in the tens of thousands of dollars."
Doug was also a very popular MC and offered his services to Ducks Unlimited and several other community organizations.
Long time friend Barrett Procyshyn called Deans a mentor throughout his life.
Barrett fondly remembers salmon fishing trips to BC with his dad, Doug, and Myles Haverluck.
"I can remember one week, Myles and Doug were in the same boat, and the fishing was a little bit tough. But they had a spot, and they would head out first thing in the morning to Ryan's Hole, and they would come back with 27 to 29 pound salmon. And Doug just loved that and he loved rubbing it in. It would be the same thing if I caught a bigger fish than Doug, I would rub it in about him pouting back at the lodge, and my dad would be teasing him."
Deans was also a recipient of the Legacy award om 2025 from the Parkland Chamber of Commerce.
