YELLOWKNIFE - The late Dewaine Dutkowski will be occupying a bar stool in the memories of the staff and customers at Harley's Hard Rock Saloon for some time.

The late Dewaine "Perv" Dutkowski is pictured here in an undated photo with an exotic dancer in Harley's Hard Rock Saloon. The bar's dance pole was removed to be included as part of Dutkowski's headstone. - photo courtesy of Harley's Hard Rock Saloon

Dutkowski died three weeks ago. The bar stepped up to put together his final arrangements when the RCMP and hospital staff were unable to locate any next of kin to claim his remains.

Dutkowski had no family in the North, "only the family he made here," said Harley's daytime bartender Crystal Dowbush. She said she spent every day that she worked at the bar with Dutkowski, also known affectionately as "Perv" by the crew at Harley's.

"He was more of a constant than any of the other staff," said Dowbush, who has tended the bar at Harley's for five years. Dutkowski was employed by the bar to do cleanup and general maintenance. He did it to keep busy in his retirement, and took great pride in the work he did for Harley's.

"He made sure everything was in tip top shape," said Dowbush, adding that he was a treasure trove of handy-man skills.

She said he had been in the Navy, and worked as a janitor for Sir John Franklin high school. She thought there was a stint at the Department of Public Works in there somewhere as well.

Dutkowski was also rather protective of his employer. Dowbush said he would get upset when people disrespected the establishment, and he maintained a very good relationship with the Harley's "family."

"He treated all of us girls like daughters," said Dowbush of his rapport with her and the other female staff. Also popular with the guys, Dutkowski was well known to in the bar.

"He was an awesome guy, he had a great sense of humour," said another Harley's bartender, who declined to give his name but is known to regulars by the nickname "Jedi."

"He had his own chair, no one could sit at it," laughed patron Wayne Kendrick, mentioning that he sat in it once, and was ushered out of the spot.

Peter Babij also remembered Dutkowski fondly.

"He was a great guy, always pleasant. The girls loved him," he said.

Jedi told Yellowknifer not only did Harley's owners, Fred and Kelly Squires, make Dutkowski's funeral arrangements, but that his memorial service was held right in the bar.

As a tribute, the original brass pole on the dancing stage was removed and half if it was placed in his coffin. The other half will adorn his headstone.

Dowbush said that the service was a unique experience.

"It was very surreal, to have him in here, but not really here," she said of the open casket funeral, which was attended by approximately 50 people. She also mentioned that Dutkowski was the kind of man that wasn't fond of funerals himself.

"He'd had friends pass away, and he and I would be sitting down here waiting during the services," said Dowbush.

"He would have been happy with the way things were arranged."