May 6, 1961 – September 20, 2026
It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Douglas Alan Waite, age 65 of East Selkirk, Manitoba. In the years following a life altering subarachnoid hemorrhage, he journeyed down a long and gentle path of progressive neurological decline.
He leaves behind to lovingly cherish his memory his beloved wife Stephanie; stepsons Jordan, Nathan; stepdaughter Serina; eldest brother Jim, twin brother Pete; nieces Kelly (Alan), Lisa and Tasha; many cousins, extended family and close friends who will miss him dearly. Doug was predeceased by his parents James and Margaret; his brother Robert (Bob).
Doug grew up in the Pulberry area of St. Vital. He attended Hastings Elementary and Junior High schools and graduated from Dakota Collegiate in 1979. He was enrolled at the University of Manitoba, first in the faculty of Environmental Studies and then transferred to Arts.
Music became an integral part of his life. At the age of 13, Doug began playing the guitar, along with his twin brother Pete. His favorite bands and early influences were Kiss, Rush, BTO, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath. He began playing bass guitar in the early 1980’s, first with his band Pegasus, and in 1985 began working full-time in the band Circuit. Over the years, he played with the bands White Room, Masque, Jane Doe, Mother Groove (Famous Jane, Dreams & Rumours) and Xstatic. His love of music, and the memories made along the way remained a lasting part of his life. Upon retiring as a full-time musician, he began employment with Gardewine where he made many respected, meaningful friendships with co-workers and staff.
In 2004, the stars aligned when Doug met Stephanie, the love of his life. They exchanged vows in 2008, marking the start of a beautiful new chapter filled with shared adventures. Married for 18 wonderful years, their greatest adventures were embraced with those they loved most. They found immense happiness in fun times with the kids and lively celebrations with family and friends, while always making time for date nights enjoying favorite music. Happiest days were rounded out by favorite mall shopping trips, adoring his pets, leisurely scenic drives and escapes to Doug’s treasured Muskoka cottage at Muldrew Lake. There he enjoyed swimming, canoeing, boating or just having a quiet drink on the deck and spending the nights stargazing. As a loving husband and devoted stepfather, he found his greatest joy in the quiet sanctuary of his home life.
Beyond his gifts as a musician, Doug possessed a charming character, a witty mind, and an infectious sense of humor that could light up any room. He was a man of many passions, fascinated by the mysteries of astronomy, an avid movie critic, devoted reader of books and a true lover of all animals, especially his own beloved pets. A good movie and a great song were more than just entertainment; they were sources of inspiration that defined the deeper human experience. Above all, Doug will be remembered for his profoundly positive, reassuring nature – a steady, grounding presence who brought comfort and warmth to everyone he loved.
Although his complex health journey over the last eight years was marked by obstacles and complications, Doug met every daily boundary with humble resilience and grace.
In keeping with Doug’s wishes, cremation has taken place. No formal services will be held at this time. We encourage friends and family to reach out to one another to share their memories and celebrate Doug’s life privately. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to a Musicians/Music Education Organization or a Wildlife/Pet Animal Rescue Organization of your choice.
“To live in the hearts we leave behind is to live forever.”
~ Carl Sagan ~
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Doug’s memorial page using the comment field below.
I grew up with Doug and Pete, spent so many great times with our band of merry trickster.
I will always cherish all my memories spent with Doug.
He was funny, kind, honest, a wonderful musician and an excellent friend…
May his memory forever be a blessing
Doug was a talented musician and friend.
I played with him a few times over the years.
He was a good friend and a genuine guy and musician who touched many people along his long career in the Manitoba music scene.
Rest well my friend. See you on the other side.
My brother Doug was nothing less than the most important person in my life, my entire life. From a childhood of G I Joes, toy soldiers, comic books, bubblegum cards, plastic model kits, street football and trips to the family cottage, to getting into music together, to playing in bands together throughout western Canada for the better part of 25 years. He was my rock. I will cherish the memories of our time together and think of him every day as long as I live. Love you forever brother.
I will never forget, after Doug and Pete’s band Circuit went away for a long time, doing gigs in western Canada, they came back for one isolated Winnipeg week at the Concord, where Doug & Pete were wearing black leather jackets and cracking jokes on stage. They were so much more professional after gaining that experience in western Canada. In later years, I would tell them that Bruce Kulick of Kiss reminds me of them, and vice versa. I met them when in high school, I became friendly with a guy who worked at McDonald’s St. Anne’s. So I got a job there, too. Later, he quit and started working at a furniture warehouse where he met Doug & Pete. We went to Doug & Pete’s parties where they played a few songs as a band. When one of them for some reason sarcastically said, “Let’s go to 7-Eleven and hang out,” I knew these were my kind of guys. As people and old friends drifted off into their own directions, I kept seeing Doug & Pete in their bands. Winnipeg’s stages will be missing a legend. R.I.P., Doug.
I was just reminiscing with a bunch of old Hastings School friends. I found an old picture from our Grade 3 class picture. Peter was kind enough to confirm that Doug agreed with me that those teachers were the meanest ever made. He was always a good guy. He had a lot of good jokes to tell when you could get him to talk. I remember him being kind of shy and laid back. I am very sad that he is gone now. RIP my old friend.
I still get asked whether I went to camp when I was little – and I still say, as I always have: “No, I went to Winnipeg!”
Doug and Pete are my Cousins – Cousins in the most special “Capital C” sense of the word. Our relationship was founded on two basic and recurring forms: the “hanging out” part, which was way too much fun, and the “letter writing” part which had its own peculiar elegance. The first part was mostly focused on our summers at Muldrew Lake – and the two or three weeks we overlapped each August. Their return to Winnipeg would kick off the second part which was a year of letter writing, back when that was a thing – interrupted only by our own ability to put off anything or an all-too-regular mail strike (also back when that was a thing).
In later summers, the “hanging out” at Muldrew part was replaced by a “me heading west” part where we always picked up where-ever we had left off – although I think anyone who has known Pete or Doug would agree there never really is a “leaving off” with either of them. It was more like you’d just left their basement for a bit, or their cottage for a bit, and then found your way back in. They were special times with two special souls.
The years have come and gone as they are wont to – yet those “days of old, when magic filled the air” retain an immediacy for me that belies the passage of time. And so it was that word of Doug’s passing landed particularly hard – the feelings of grief, sadness and loss being immeasurable. I suppose these feelings are, in an odd way, the real gifts that come with having as good a friend and as fine a Cousin as one could ever hope to have. For today though, their heaviness is hard to bear.
Godspeed dear Doug. You are in my heart forever.
I met Doug only after he had retired from the music scene and Steph and I reconnected after many years of not having been in touch. The only time I saw him on stage was when my bassist hubby was playing at a gig and invited Doug up on stage to play a tune. It looked like Doug was having so much fun. I would have liked to seem him play in his bands. It was wild that Doug was a twin and a bassist because my hubby’s name is Doug, is a twin and is a bassist! When we got together with Steph and Doug for dinner and drinks we could count on some entertaining discussion of the days playing out. Never a dull moment.
Doug was one of the kindest guys anyone could ever meet. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was so genuine. He truly loved Steph and the kids and would have done anything for them. Besides being his twin he had a very special bond and love for his brother Pete.
We will miss you, rest well Doug.
I grew up with the brothers Doug and Pete in the Pulberry neighborhood of St Vital where we attended Hastings elementary, Junior High, and Dakota Collegiate. Enormous amounts of time were spent together, whether playing games, creating python-esque school assignments, or our combined early efforts at musical enterprise. (A nod here to our rehearsals using the soundstage at Hastings and the twins and I hauling comically heavy gear back and forth). Those were special times indeed. It is with a heavy heart that I reflect on Doug’s passing; the loss of the laughter, wit, and kindness that were cornerstones of his lifetime. I send my heartfelt empathy to the family, and a special remembrance to my friend Pete who must be awash in countless memories of the life of his twin brother. We all miss you Doug; Travel well.
It is with a sad heart that i say good bye to Doug Waite brother of Peter Waite.I have so many memories of days on the road with Doug and Peter.We built Music projects together,Starved together,spent countless hours together in two Suburban trucks travelling East and West through this incredible place we call Canada.We laughed,agreed,disagreed and experienced all those things associated with being musical Brothers.We would spend months away from our homes dedicated to becoming the best band we could be under all circumstances.Inclement weather,horrible FR Production rentals that Doug would always figure out how to operate with Gaff tape and bubblegum!!LOL!!One memory is of a New Years Gig we had booked at Shilo Forces base.The weather was brutal.Snow,wind,ice and Doug having to drive an FR Production truck and trailor with the truck horn permanently stuck on HORN!!!!We were just outside of City limits and the truck and trailor slid off the road.Doug got us out of that mess like a champ.Thank you good Sir!
One more from the road,
We once played in Thunder Bay Ontario 21 days straight,3 shows a night and rehearsed during the day!! We were dedicated.We were MOTHER GROOVE.
I also remember the Saturdat night at the Silver Spike where i introduced Doug to the love of his life Stephanie.That was it for Doug! He found what he was looking for and the rest was History.
So long Doug.Rest in Peace.
Alec Friesen