Don Dupuis was born in Ontario Sept. 17, 1937, as the oldest of four boys. Later his family packed up and headed west to Saskatchewan and made their home in Bienfait.
At a young age, Dupuis started playing and coaching baseball. Dupuis was praised by many as a great baseball coach.
"I was a lucky kid to had the opportunity to play baseball for Don Dupuis," said E. Michael Dyer, vice-president of SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary. "There is no question that learning the basics of baseball led to the numerous championships our team, the Ace Mud Mets, won. We won our fair share of tournaments. We also learned about hard work and the amount of practice necessary, to respect the game and how to win and how to lose with grace. Don left a legacy of very successful young athletes and citizens. I'm proud to have played for him."
"Don knew the game of baseball from all directions, said Norm Park who now is co-editor of the Estevan Mercury newspaper. "He taught, he coached, he laughed, he respected the game, he moulded boys into young men and always knew how to win and lose [only on occasion], the right way."
"While coaching, Don passed on by example and verbally, things to help us deal with things in sport, but also to help us become better people," said Rick Anderson, chief engineer at the University of Regina. "Don thought of all the guys who played for him as a son, and someone who mattered."
"Being part of the team as part time bat boy in my younger years, soon escalated to become an honour and privilege," said Barry Nakonechny. "Playing baseball for Don Dupuis was like making it to the big leagues. His comprehensive outlook on the benefits of exercising practice formations and executing properly in game situations would put an inner awesome smile on Don's face and ours. He taught us how to learn from our mistakes. His style, his coaching abilities and dedication was truly an experience I'll never forget. He instilled a sense of sportsmanship and the importance of belonging, to every player. He left me with super fond memories of baseball and friendships. He made an impact on my life."
"Don's renown came not so much from his playing days, but from what he learned from them and passed on to the younger generation," said Frank John of Estevan. "He taught them how to play the game, how to win with dignity, and how to be a good loser. Don is a true follower of the sport of baseball, and generously gave of his knowledge, and inspired the many young people he coached."
In 1959, Dupuis coached with Bob Davis and the two of them helped the Estevan Maple Leafs win the provincial juvenile championship.
In 1966, at a differenent level, coaching bantam Dupuis' team were provincial bantam finalists.
Three years later, Dupuis led the juvenile team to the Western Canada Juvenile Champions.
He was back to westerns the next year, as coach of the provincial juvenile champions and placed second at westerns.
In 1971, Dupuis brought his team to North Battleford for the Canadian Junior Championship.
In 1972, the Ace Mud Mets won the South Saskatchewan Junior League under Dupuis' leadership.
Dupuis also helped with the construction of the Lynn Prime Baseball Field for the summer games in1980.
Don Dupuis will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame during the 27th annual induction Saturday, Aug. 20.
