Rodney "Rod" Paul Proulx

With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden transition of Rodney Paul Proulx on February 21st, 2023, while in his 53rd year. Rod was born March 19th, 1969, to Margaret and Gerald Proulx in Winnipeg, MB.

Rod was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Gerry Proulx, as well as his grandparents, Walther and Rose Meinhart of Winnipeg and Michael and Angelina Proulx of Winnipeg, MB. He is survived by his brother Brad, and a brother, Gerry, whom he was fortunate to meet later in life.
Rod attended River East Collegiate and enjoyed playing sports, especially basketball and hanging out with his friends. He enjoyed camping, fishing and bonfires with his family. In 1988 he attended the University of Winnipeg and later completed a Cisco program. He moved to Brandon with his wife and daughters in 2000 to work as a computer technician at the Brandon School Division. In 2005 he went to Sydney, Australia, with his young family, where he enjoyed the beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, and countless new adventures with exotic sea creatures.

Rod deeply loved his family, Regan Proulx (30), (Cole Porter), Danika Proulx (28), and his grandsons Liam Brown (9), Jack Porter (3) and Beau Savenkoff (1). They captured his heart and calmed his soul. Many times, they would share a pizza while enjoying a Jets game. His favourite day would be a visit with his family to Minnedosa Beach, later to be followed by a bonfire and a great laugh.
Duke, a young happy spirited golden retriever, was also one of his faithful and trusted companions who accompanied Rod on a daily walk.
Sports were a big part of his life; he enjoyed anything to do with hockey, basketball and football and especially loved coaching basketball in his youth.

Rod lived by the lyrics of crooner Frank Sinatra and did life his way. He had friends that were incredibly important to him. Recently, Rod was fortunate to evaluate his genealogy and discovered his Metis Status. He enjoyed researching his heritage and participating in the community, rituals and celebrations.

He was taken too soon, and although we are left with our grief, we will learn to carry it as part of us and feel his memory in our times while we connect with nature, enjoy our bonfires and catch the leaves as they dance and swirl in the wind.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church 339 - 12th Street Brandon, MB at 2:00 p.m.  
Donations in memory of Rod may be made to a charity of one's choice. 

HEAVY
That time
I thought I could not
go any closer to grief
without dying

I went closer,
and I did not die.
Surely God
had his hand in this,

as well as friends.
Still, I was bent,
and my laughter,
as the poet said,

was nowhere to be found.
Then said my friend Daniel
(brave even among lions),
“It is not the weight you carry

but how you carry it—
books, bricks, grief—
it’s all in the way
you embrace it, balance it, carry it

when you cannot, and would not,
put it down.”
So I went practicing.
Have you noticed?

Have you heard
the laughter
that comes now and again,
out of my startled mouth?

How I linger
to admire, admire, admire
the things of this world
that are kind, and maybe

also troubled—
roses in the wind,
The sea geese on the steep waves,
a love
to which there is no reply
-Mary Oliver

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