Inspector Dennis Heald

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our loving husband, father, papa, great-papa, brother, brother-in-law and uncle.  Dennis Mason Heald age 76 years passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the Mossey River Personal Care Home with his family by his side.

Dennis was born on April 15, 1948, in Lacombe, Alberta to parents Evelyn & Ralph Heald.  Dennis was the oldest of four siblings.  At the time Dennis was born his family resided in Hay Lakes, Alberta, it wasn’t long until they relocated to Ponoka, Alberta, due to his father’s employment.  In 1960 the family once again relocated to Brooks, Alberta.  In 1964 the family made their last & final move to the beautiful Creston Valley, B.C. in 1966 his father purchased a business and named it “Heald’s Building Materials”.  Dennis graduated high school in Creston, B.C., in 1967, and then went on to attend the University of British Colombia in Vancouver, after 4 years he received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, at this point he was unsure of his future career path.  During his breaks from University he would return home to work in the family business.  Upon the advice of his mother, he decided to do numerous ride-a-longs with the Creston RCMP, after this experience he realized this was his chosen career.  Dennis applied with the RCMP & was accepted after his 4th year in university, he officially signed on April 5, 1972.  He left Creston B.C. for Regina SK, to attend depot, he completed his training in October 1972.

Dennis’s first posting was Winnipegosis, MB in October 1972, this is where he met the love of his life Brenda Leah Clarkson, who he would later marry and spend many happy, loving years together.  Dennis was very much a family man, he loved his 2 children Lisa & Darrell dearly, and always maintained a positive and very loving relationship with both not only as a father, but as their friend.  Dennis availability was priority when it came to his children.

One of Dennis proudest moments was becoming a Papa to his 2 grandchildren Brayden & Brooklyn.  Now his time became work & Grandkids, he enjoyed all the time he spent with them.  He was proud of their accomplishments throughout the years.  They brought a lot of joy to his life and he loved them unconditionally.  Dennis had 3 great-grandchildren (Noah, Amelia, Cohen) due to his illness he was not given the time to be able to share the same bond with them.  With all their visits Dennis’s actions showed his love for each of them.  Dennis started his career as a Constable, then was promoted to Corporal and then to Sargent.  He then studied and wrote exams which took almost a year and was successful, which gave him a promotion to the officer rank, therefore Dennis was promoted to Inspector.  Dennis was also in charge of 3 Peace Keeping missions in Sarejaro, Bosnia, each mission was 1 year long.

Dennis’s career with the RCMP consisted of several moves beginning in Winnipegosis, MB in 1972, Thompson, MB in 1973, Churchill, MB in 1973, Killarney, MB in 1975, Brandon, MB in 1981, Thompson, MB in 1985, Wasagaming, MB in 1991, Portage, MB in 1993, Vancouver, BC in 1993, Thompson, MB in 1996, Bosnia in 1999, Ottawa, ON in 2001, Bosnia in 2003, Winnipeg, MB in 2004, and Bosnia in 2005.  Dennis retired from the RCMP on April 14, 2006, as an Inspector, with 34 years plus 1 day service.  Dennis thought he would enjoy retirement but after 3 months decided to take employment with the provincial government in Winnipeg, MB, where he worked 1.6 years.  He then moved his family to Winnipegosis, MB, and later took employment with the provincial government in Dauphin, MB, where he worked for the next 8 years until his illness started to control him.  Dennis was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2012.  In 2021 due to the severity of his illness, he had to be placed in the Mossey River Personal Care Home.  Dennis’s family was so proud of him, his love for his family, his life accomplishment, and the wonderful person and friend he was to so many.  He will forever be loved and missed by many.

Dennis is survived by his wife Brenda, daughter Lisa, (fur baby Lily) son Darrell (Susan), grandchildren Brayden (Megan) Brooklyn (Paul) great-grandchildren Noah, Amelia, Cohen.  Sisters Linda (Wilf), Brothers Bud (Laurie), Larry (Joyce).  Sister-in-law, Loretta, Myrtle, Shellie, Kathy, Brother-in-laws, Eddie (Diane), Arnie (Sharon), Dougie, Scott (Valorie), Ernest (Linda), Mitchell, Robert (Vivian) as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dennis is pre-deceased by his parents Evelyn & Ralph Heald, niece Anthea Heald and his grandparents.  Parents-in-law Helen & Walter Clarkson, sisters-in-law Irene, Marie and Helen, Brothers-in-law Herb, Thomas, Robert, Raymond, Gordon and many aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Dennis on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at the Elk’s Hall (337 3rd St.) in Winnipegosis, MB.  Lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made to the Mossey River Personal Care Home or to the Parkinsons Foundation

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