KIRK, Douglas Sydney, April 7, 1925 - March 22, 2016

Our wonderful father passed away on March 22, 2016, just a few days shy of 91. Our mother Olive (nee Howard), was the love of his life, and their passion was palpable to all who knew them. They were married 58 years and, together, they produced Michael (Margot Fabian), Linda, Gordon (June McNeill), Lorna (Carl Tonack), and Teri (Glenn O’Farrell). Dad was exceptionally proud of his 11 grandchildren: Alex, Melanie and Doug (Mike), Graham and Daniel (Gord), Claire, Madonna, Jesse and Dylan (Lorna), Devon and Morgan (Teri), and 15 great-grandchildren, including one en route, bringing the count to 31 offspring.

Doug was predeceased by his parents Sydney and Gladys (nee Churcher), and his siblings Jim (Denman Island) and Edie (Broadfoot of Chase BC), and is survived by his sister Judith (Stricker of Sidney BC).

Doug was born in Winnipeg in 1925 and some of his fondest memories are of summers at Grand Beach, Lake Winnipeg. That is where he met Olive, spending lake-side evenings jiving in the dance pavilion, before joining the Royal Canadian Navy for the last two years of WWII, 1943-45. From age 18 - 20, Doug served on HMCS Meon, Torpedo Branch, under Captain Balfour. Stationed in Halifax, the Meon guided convoys back and forth across the North Atlantic, detecting and eliminating the threat of enemy submarines. As a vet, Doug was able to complete high school studies that got set aside during the war-time years, and earn a Bachelor of Science degree at UBC by 1951. Doug started his career with the Quaker Oats Company, completing 16 years in BC, Winnipeg, and head office in Peterborough, where the family moved in 1960. Olive and we five children, all born within five years, were the perfect focus group for Aunt Jemima pancakes and Captain Crunch. In 1968, Doug left “Quaker” for “the College,” becoming Dean of Student Services, Sir Sandford Fleming College, until his retirement in 1989.

Doug inspired so many with his unshakably positive outlook, charm, and love. After raising a family of five, Dad became a Big Brother to a family of four, loving them like his own. Olive, who spent 17 years at the Children’s Aid Society, periodically added a “hard to place” child to the mix. It all appeared quite effortless for them. Dad’s energy and athleticism were constants—in our family, at the Y, and in the community. His decades of almost daily swimming led him to become a Canadian gold medalist Master's swimmer in his 60s. Doug's long and dedicated service to the Y was recognized through the Governor General’s Fellowship of Honour Lifetime Achievement Award. His passions spanned scuba diving, sailing, and iceboating, and he and his buddies founded the Otonabee ice floe races that briefly put Peterborough and the sport on the map. And anyone who saw Dad’s lake-side garden at Chemong knew that his Master Gardener designation was well-earned.

With Olive, Doug gave generously of both his time and charitable dollars to the Peterborough Family YMCA, the YWCA, Showplace, Big Brothers Association, the Arthritis Society, Prostate Cancer, the United Way, and the Peterborough Naval Association. And, true to form, his last wishes include sharing his estate with the Peterborough Community Foundation.

Big hugs to all at Summit Terrace for providing the delicious meals, the glorious vista across the tree tops to Little Lake, and the friendships that made Dad’s life at 90 a real delight. His only regret was that Mom, who predeceased him in 2008, did not get to enjoy that time with him. Heartfelt thanks to the palliative team at Canterbury Gardens for their compassionate care in the final weeks of a truly beautiful and healthful life.

We look forward to hosting you in a celebration of our Dad’s life when Peterborough’s lakes and gardens, which he delighted in for 56 years, are in full swing.

Shared stories and kind words will be welcome by all family members at our emails and phone numbers, which will be actively circulating in the coming days. Above all, thank you for making our Dad’s life beautiful.

Michael, Linda, Gordon, Lorna and Teri