Family and friends of Kevin Feland mourned the death of someone they remembered as a fun-loving and caring man, after firefighters found his body when responding to a May 25 residential house fire in Glendon.
Family and friends of Kevin Feland mourned the death of someone they remembered as a fun-loving and caring man, after firefighters found his body when responding to a May 25 residential house fire in Glendon.
Feland's aunt Linda, who was born and raised in Glendon, says of her nephew that, "He would do anything for anyone . . . if you needed him, he was there to help you."
In more recent years, she hadn't spent much time with him, as she explained that her nephew kept close to himself.
"He had a private life that he didn't necessarily share with us," she said.
Though his work as a welder often took him away from home, he stayed close to his immediate family, with many of his relatives still living in Glendon, she said.
She last ran into her nephew during Christmas break and they shared a good conversation. As they said their goodbyes, she recalled tearfully that, "He asked me to give him a hug."
Police have charged a 51-year-old woman with first-degree murder in connection to the incident.
As a result of the death, RCMP Major Crimes and the provincial fire investigator started an investigation, and evidence gathered resulted in the charges against Feland's common-law wife Deborah Doonanco, RCMP said in a press release.
Doonanco was a former teacher, teaching at Duclos School in Bonnyville during part of her time with Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) before retiring, according to Nicole Garner, NLSD communications officer. She is also the daughter of Johnnie Doonanco, who served Glendon as mayor for 39 years, and his wife Mary.
Peter Doonanco, a current councillor and uncle to the accused, says that the family needed space as they processed the news.
"Both families are hurting," he said. "It changes your life forever, for all of us."
He said neither he nor his brother knew much about the situation, but were waiting for RCMP to conduct its investigation about the couple, their relationship and what happened on May 25.
"It's really terrible," said Coun. Doonanco.
Deborah Doonanco is scheduled to appear in Bonnyville provincial court on Tuesday, June 3.
Feland's aunt noted that many people, in the aftermath of his death, began speculating about what had happened, but most knew nothing about the situation and she reminded them that Feland was "somebody's brother, somebody's son, somebody's cousin.
"I want him to be remembered as a fun, popular person," she said, remembering the big smile he used to carry on his face. "That's how we knew him."
