We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Doug Newman. Doug was a long-time resident of the Essence.
Doug Newman, was born in Toronto on May 31st, 1942. Although he extensively travelled throughout his life, both as a travel writer and later a tourist, he loved his city and enjoyed wandering down memory lane in Kensington Market/Dundas/Spadina where he spent much of his childhood with his four siblings Lee, Eleanor, Lorraine (Don) and David (Cindy) and his Uncle Mel (Liz) who was like a brother.
Starting at 9 years old, Doug worked hard at many different jobs while going to school, contributing to his family income. After graduating from Central Commerce High School, he enrolled in the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson University and became first in his family with a post-secondary degree. After university, Doug worked as a film editor at the
CBC and was a travel writer and editor for the CAA travel magazine, travelling around the world, chronicling his experiences through writing and photos while writing a movie column in Key-To Toronto Magazine. Later in life, he wrote for a consumer magazine, worked for Canada Customs, worked with refugees at Immigration Canada and finally at the Ontario courts.
Doug made friends with everyone around him and he will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him including his long-time friends, Michael, Sharon, Joe and Zina and Gary and Anne as well as the Coffee Club and Euchre Club at his condo of which he was an integral part. He was friends with his neighbours and the condo staff.
Doug had an encyclopedic knowledge of movies and movie stars new and old and was a great appreciator of music, especially from the 50’s and 60’s. He also was a faithful Blue Jays fan and loved talking about the players and their prospects for the season.
Doug will be missed most of all by his immediate family: His daughter Allegra, son-in-law Chris, grand daughters Sofie and Téa and his former wife and friend Shaaron with whom he discussed politics and the Jays.
A big thank you to the ICU doctors and nurses at Saint Joseph’s hospital as well as his wonderful long-time caregiver Lucy for everything she has done for Doug over the years.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday June 28th from 2-4pm at 25 Earlington Ave in Toronto.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doug’s memory to the FCJ Refugee Centre in Toronto https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/donate
