It is with great sadness our family announces the passing of Doug on March 21st at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, Ontario. He had been battling heart disease for 20 years.
Doug was born in Kitchener, Ontario on May 23, 1940. A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife, Jane; his daughter Lisa (Murray Farbridge); as well as his sister, Ruth (Jim) of Kitchener. Doug took a loving interest in his two grandchildren, Anna and Alex. He is predeceased by his parents, Leonard and Edna Wambold of Collingwood, Ontario, and his son, Mark of Auckland, New Zealand.
Doug spent his younger years in Kitchener and then as a teenager in Collingwood. As a child he learned from his parents to appreciate nature and had a good eye and ear for birding. Summers, Doug fished at the Collingwood docks, while in winter, he perfected his turns on the Blue Mountain ski slopes. He enjoyed regaling others with stories of childhood hijinks with his cousins.
By the time of age 18, he had graduated with his ARCT (Solo Performance) in piano from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Following high school, Doug received his teaching certificate from Lakeshore Teacher’s College in Toronto and a B.A from York University. He joined the Toronto Men Teacher’s Choir as the piano accompanist and started teaching at public schools in downtown Toronto. For most of his career he held various vice principal positions with the Simcoe Country District School Board, until his retirement from Minesing Central Public School in 1995.
Doug started travelling the world in his early 20’s and continued late-in-life until health issues prevented him. In 1970, he met his wife, Jane, while touring Auckland, New Zealand. They married in 1971 and moved to Midhurst, Ontario where they raised two children, Mark and Lisa. As a father, Doug instilled a great sense of adventure, responsibility, curiosity, and especially humour in his children. He was a great friend to many, with his wit still apparent in his final days.
Doug was involved in many activities throughout his life. When younger, he could play a mean game of squash and did not like to lose! In the 1980’s and early 90’s, he was the much-loved musical director at Midhurst United Church, plus the pianist for many musical theatre productions with the Teacher’s Music Theatre Workshop. A big hobby of Doug’s from childhood was a fascination with mineralogy. For 31 years he pursued this interest as a business, including lots of family road-trips with travel-trailer in tow.
In his more senior years, Doug became known as a snappy dresser, especially liking vibrant colours. He loved going on cruises with his wife, Jane, forever his ‘bride’.
A celebration of life will be held at Midhurst United Church, 91 Doran Road, Midhurst on Saturday April 27th at 2pm with visitation at 1pm. Reception to follow.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Cardio-Respiratory Unit at RVH https://www.rvh.on.ca/areas-of-care/simcoe-muskoka-regional-heart-program-smrhp/cardio-respiratory-treatment-clinic/ or the Midhurst United Church https://www.midhurstunitedchurch.ca/donate/
Online condolences can be made through Peaceful Transition (Simcoe) at: www.peacefultransition.ca