It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dennis Tanguay, at the age of 80, on December 22, 2025 at home, surrounded by his family.
Dennis was born on May 19, 1945 in Souris, Manitoba, the 2nd oldest of 4 children born to Olive and Roy Tanguay. In 1953, Dennis contracted polio and spent approximately 8 months in the King Edward Hospital in Winnipeg while he recovered.
Dennis started working at his family’s store, Macleod’s Hardware, at the age of 11 in 1956. He worked there with his father and grandfather until 1963 when he moved to Winnipeg to attend school. After completing school, Denny moved to Calgary and Drumheller, Alberta where he worked in finance.
In 1970, Dennis returned to Souris to operate Souris Plastics Ltd which his father started. Three years later in 1973, Dennis and his brother Bill purchased Macleod’s Hardware from their father and grandfather. In 1974, Bill and Dennis dropped the Macleod’s franchise and joined Link Hardware, which in 1981 amalgamated with Home Hardware.
On November 10, 1979, Dennis married Cheryl Hale who was the love of his life. Denny and Cheryl welcomed Laura in 1981 and Brad in 1983. In 2007, Crystal and Ethan joined the family, followed by Jaret in 2008. Rylin completed the family in 2011. He loved being “Grandpa Toba” to Rylin.
Over the years, Denny was involved with the Cardinals’ ball team, Elks Hockey, Chamber of Commerce, Fair Board, Tournament of Champions, raising funds for high school football equipment, and coached minor ball, was a scout leader, managed Brad’s hockey team, and was the leader of the Souris 4-H Beef Club for several years. Dennis served one term as a town councillor and one term as mayor of Souris.
Tanguay’s Hardware, also know to family as “the store,” was more than just a business. Dennis saw it as a way of serving the community. Whether it was the at-home service to fix an older adult’s TV (also known as changing the remote’s batteries), or giving back to local town initiatives, or going up to the store at 10pm on a Sunday to get someone a sump pump, Dennis was always there, without complaint. He ensured staff understood the importance of customer service and that customers needed to be greeted and served with a smile.
Throughout their time of owning the store, Bill and Dennis employed over 60 people. They were widely regarded as kind and caring employers, with many loyal employees over the years. He enjoyed mentoring staff, and ensured they learned very important life skills, such as counting back change, ensuring dollar bills were all lined up the same way, and when using a box cutter, to ensure to cut away from yourself. In 1999, Tanguay’s Hardware was awarded the top honors as one of the best Home Hardware dealers in Canada, which was no surprise to anyone in Souris, who were all well acquainted with the exceptional customer service that could be found there. In 2004, Bill and Dennis sold the store, which freed Denny up to engage in a variety of other community initiatives.
During his retirement, Dennis was a volunteer driver for Cancer Care. He also did the books for the Avalon Theatre for years and audited the accounts of several non-profit organizations, which of course was right up his alley because we all know how much he loved ensuring the books were balanced. Denny was also involved in helping the Filipino nurses settle into Souris sixteen years ago. He truly valued the relationships he built with the Filipino community over the years.
In their retirement, Bill and Denny, along with Bill Sanderson and Denny’s dog, Bacon, would walk the streets around town, solving the world’s problems. Denny was an avid puzzler and could complete a puzzle very quickly when Cheryl gave him a deadline to get it off the dining room table.
Denny was known for his love of animals. Bacon, a chocolate lab, was well known for accompanying Denny all over town; the 2 were inseparable. After Bacon’s death, Denny stated that there would be no more pets in their home. That lasted for only a couple of years. A very special chocolate lab, named Bear, moved in across the back lane. Bear and Denny developed a very close bond and spent most mornings together over the past 9 years.
During his retirement, Denny became the pet sitter for family and friends. The dogs, too many to name, were all obsessed with Denny….and also Denny’s blue truck. The number of dogs in town that knew the sound of Denny’s truck was almost comical. The rumble that you heard on December 22 was the stampede at the rainbow bridge as all of the cats and dogs who loved him that had passed before him raced to greet him with kisses.
Dennis was predeceased by his mother and father, Olive and Roy Tanguay, his father-in-law, Walter Hale, and his brother, William Tanguay.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl, his children Laura (Jaret) and Brad (Crystal), his grandchildren, Ethan and Rylin, his mother-in-law Alice Hale, his sisters Pat (George) Hickling and Maryanne Carlisle, his sister-in-laws Betty Tanguay, Charlene (Doug) Hollyoake and Colleen (Darren) Carlson, and brother-in-law Warren (Nancy) Hale, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was held at St. Paul’s United Church, Souris on December 27, 2025 with interment in the Souris-Glenwood Cemetery. In memory of Dennis, donations may be made to the Souris-Glenwood Fire Department c/o Municipality of Souris-Glenwood Box 518 Souris, MB R0K 2C0 or to the Souris Personal Home Courtyard Fund c/o Prairie Mountain Health Box 10 Souris, MB R0K 2C0.
Sincere sympathy to Cheryl, Brad, Laura and their family. Denny was a wonderful community person that was respected by many. He will be missed.
Cheryl and family we are so sorry for your loss. Sincerely Traci & Clive
So sorry to hear of the passing of Dennis. Our condolences to you and your family .
Sincerely Linda and Dennis.
So very saddened to read of Denny’s passing. Condolences to Cheryl and family.
Oh Cheryl and family. So sorry to hear this about Denny. Our sincere condolences to all of you. Jeannie and Sudsy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Dennis family at this very sad loss. Dennis was a great man he will truly be missed !
I’m so sorry to hear of Dennys passing Cheryl. He was always very kind.
Our sympathy to you Cheryl, Laura and Brad and family. A wonderful man and he will be missed by many people in the community he loved!
The most outstanding boss I ever had. Taught me so much. He fought hard with his health issues . He was very interested in the Souris community and tried to make things better ,especially when he was mayor ,for everyone’s benefit. Rest easy Dennis. You have earned your wings..
Cheryl and family,
Our sincere sympathies to you all on the passing of Dennis. He was a wonderful community member and will be missed by so many.
Cheryl and Family, so sorry to hear of Denny’ s passing. He was a genuine person who cared about the community he lived in, and as long as he could he was auditing books for the non-profit organizations in town. May he rest in peace.
Cheryl and family.
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of Denny. Our community will miss him.
Kim Staples Stewart
Denny was Ron’s cousin. They spent many wonderful years growing up together in Souris. They thought the world of each other and as they became adults the feelings remain.
We send our condolences to Cheryl, Laura, Brad and their extended families.
You are in our thoughts and prayers..
Safely rest Denny.
Ron and Maureen Tomlinson
Laura and family,
Thinking of you through all of this.
My heartfelt condolences Cheryl and family. The whole community will miss Denny.
Debra Kain
My condolences to your family. Dennis was a great guy, always friendly, always involved in the community.
We Extend our Condolences to the Tanguay Family
on Dennis’s passing.
Bill & Bernice Petras
Boissevain Mb
Condolences to Cheryl and family. Souris has lost a great community supporter. Darryl and Cherilyn
Cheryl and family, my sincere condolences on the loss of Denny❤️
Cheryl and family; So sorry for your loss. You will always carry Denny with you in your heart and your memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
To Cheryl and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cheryl:
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sending condolences to Cheryl and family. We will miss seeing Dennis coming to pick bear up for a run. It always made us smile.
Sending our condolences to Cheryl and family Our thoughts are with you all
Don and Cheryl Tufts
My sincere condolences to all of Denny’s family. Like Paul and Jennifer I will also miss seeing him come around the corner in his truck, give me a wave if I was outside, and his buddy Bear come running out and jumping into his truck and off they would go to the country for a run. RIP Denny.
Dennis was a young man who befriended me and welcomed me to Souris in 1958 & 1960 when I was hired as Sports Director. My Condolences to his family on the loss of a true gentleman
Cheryl and family,
So sorry to read about Denny’s passing. Please accept our condolences.
Bob & Linda Johnston
Cheryl and family – so very sorry to hear of Denny’s passing. Such a well respected fella. Souris has lost another great supporter. Take care and know you’re in our thoughts.
Pat & Rick Smith and the Turner boys
Cheryl, and family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of Denny. He was a kind and thoughtful man.
Marilyn
Cheryl and family. So sorry for your loss. Denny was a great supporter of the community and will be missed by many.
Sincere condolences to Cheryl and family, Souris has lost a patient and wise community supporter. Any event or meeting that I shared with him, he was generally quietly listening and observing everyone. However when he did speak up it always served you well to pay attention.
Joe Goodwill
Condolences to all the families. I remember with fondness his smile and greeting. One of the first I met in August 1981. Souris has lost a great one.
Sincere condolences to the Tanguay family.
Dwight and Nancy Kirkup
Our condolences Cheryl and family. Our thoughts are with you all.
Our thoughts are with your family. Curt said Bill & Denny were the best bosses he ever had .
Our thoughts to all the family
Our sincere condolences on your loss.
Lori & Keith Leverington
Cheryl, Laura,Brad and family. We are saddened to hear of Denny’s passing. A true friend to us . Len and I have many fond memories living in the lower level of the house when we got married 50 years ago and all his visits to our place in Winnipeg when he was as visiting Cheryl’s sister. May his memories give you comfort and peace.
My deepest condolences to the family
Thinking of you all during this time. Lots of fond memories of Denny. He was always so easy to talk too and his kindness towards our family and his love for our dog Jetta will always be remembered.
Heather
My sincere condolences to you Cheryl and your family at this sad time
Got to know Dennis really well unloading the home hardware truck any time day or night rest in peace my friend and to your wonderful family, god bless
My sincerest sympathies to the Tanguay family.
So sorry to hear of Dennis passing. He was a good friend to all, kind and helpful. He will be missed.
Leo and Kathie Matheos
So sorry to hear of Dennis passing, please accept our deepest condolences.
So very sorry for your loss Cheryl and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I wanted to attend the memorial but that was Jean Dornian’s 90th birthday and we had alot of company to attend to. We always thought alot of Denny. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Dear Cheryl and your family,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Such a wonderful tribute to Denny.
Sincerely,
Pam Whitfield
My sincere sympathy to Cheryl and family.
Denny will be missed by all that knew him
My thoughts are with you
Margaret
Cheryl & family
Sorry to hear about Dennis passing. I always enjoyed our morning coffee at The Chocolate Shop before work. He was always so helpful when I went into the store. Our deepest condolences,
Jim and Diane McKinnon
My husband, Roy Anderson, was a friend of Denny’s when Roy lived in Souris and my sister, Karen Levenick, was a fiend of his sister Pat. Our condolences to the family members.
Sincerely,
Ruth ( Levenick) Anderson and Karen Levenick
Cheryl and family, thinking of you and sending virtual hugs.