Obituary of Dennis Humphries

HUMPHRIES, Dennis- Went to meet his Creator on Wednesday July 20, 2022. He passed away unexpectedly at the Lady Dunn Health Centre in his 66th year. He was the son of the late Edward and the late Mary Humphries, brother of Donnie (Barb Jarvis) and the late Danny (Irene), and uncle to Duncan, Heather, Danny, Jessica, Katie and Jack.

Dennis was born and raised in Hawk Junction.  Like any Hawk boy, he enjoyed canoeing, swimming, hunting for partridge and of course just generally getting into mischief. Sports was one of his passions, especially hockey, baseball and track and field. He was a member of the Wawa Travellers from 1974 to 1978 and, as a call-up from the Wawa Minor Hockey Midgets, was part of the 1973/74 Travellers team that won the International Jr B League Championship. In his thirties, he took up the game of golf. He also enjoyed cards, reading and solving crosswords. 

Dennis was a railroader for most of his working life. Upon graduating from high school, he began working for the Algoma Central Railway as a section man and later as a brakeman. He moved to Thunder Bay at the age of 22 and joined the Canadian National Railway as a brakeman, then transferred to the city of Edmonton in the early 2000’s. He retired at the age of 54, and returned to Wawa. 

Whenever Dennis talked about the glory days, he would reminisce about two things: his Wawa Travellers playing days; and his wild and fun times in Thunder Bay with his two brothers, Paul Begin and other Wawaites.  He was a proud Michipicoten First Nation citizen. 

The people of Wawa were so good to Dennis. The individual acts of kindness shown towards him over the years were very appreciated. He was very grateful for all the assistance he received from Iris Place, Michipicoten First Nation, the Wawa Food Bank and friends he made along the way. Although somewhat of a stubborn patient, the Wawa Family Health Team, Lady Dunn Health Centre and Maamawising provided Dennis with quality and compassionate care. Donations to the Wawa Food Bank would be appreciated. 

A private gathering will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place at River’s Edge Cremation Centre, Sault Ste. Marie. (Arrangements entrusted to Kerry Funeral Home, Wawa, 705-856-7340). www.kerryfuneralhome.ca