Memorable Manitobans: Donald Bruce Decker (1946-1986)

Musician, historian.

Born at Winnipeg on 25 August 1946, son of Morley Decker and Victoria May Plaster (1921-2008), he was educated at Silver Heights Collegiate and the University of Manitoba (BA Honours). From 1963 through 1970, he was known for his participation in such musical groups as The Deverons, The Guess Who, Honey Throat, and The Electric Jug and Blues Band. He worked at the Festival du Voyageur for 12 years and was a motivating force in its Fort Gibraltar project. Toward the end of his life, he devoted considerable time to research on historical Winnipeg photographs, especially ones taken by early photographer Charles Ellis. Decker died in a vehicle accident on 24 August 1986, one day short of his 40th birthday. He is commemorated by a monument in Whittier Park near Fort Gibraltar.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 26 August 1986, page 30.

“The nice guy of rock stars” by Gordon Sinclair, Winnipeg Free Press, 29 August 1986, page 29.

Obituary [Victoria May Decker], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 February 2008.

We thank Bill Stevens for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 18 November 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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