Douglas Stanley Otterbein

Sad to announce his passing on Wednesday June 24th after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born April 11, 1962 to Stanley Jacob and the late Barbara Ann Otterbein. Doug was the youngest of three with older brother Brad (Claire) and his sister Karen (Rick). They lived in New Hamburg, ON and spent many of their summers in Honey Harbour on Georgian Bay.

Douglas Stanley Otterbein grew up playing a variety of sports and was on many of the school and local sports teams. Being a modest man he would later in life tell his children he was “the New Hamburg champion of this and that” depending on what activity we were participating in that particular moment.

After his grade 13 math exam he recruited his best buddy to join the Army and travel the world seeking adventure. They joined the Canadian Armed Forces together. He had a natural aptitude for military life and was quickly promoted to Sergeant, it was one of the quickest promotions they had given out in infantry. Doug was always committed to a healthy lifestyle, running, cycling, and weightlifting, this led him to compete in several Ironman competitions throughout his military career.

After leaving the CAF in 1987 he pursued a policing career and joined Durham Regional Police Services in 1988 where he worked frontline patrol, was a Use of Force Instructor, and spent 17 years in the Tactical Support Unit. He was also a member of the Explosive Disposal Unit and Hostage and Rescue Team, he won many sniper awards, team competitions, and was a repel master during this time. One of his many highlights was rappelling from inside the top of what was known as the Skydome at the time in Toronto. Doug completed 30 yrs before retiring in 2018.

It was early on within his time at DRPS he met his wife Elaine. They settled in the small community of Enniskillen, ON in 1996 after the birth of their first child, son Brett. And they remained there to welcome two additional children Eden and Georden. Doug loved animals and over time had 7 dogs and 7 cats.

Doug coached the kids in their various sporting activities soccer, baseball and hockey. When both sons decided to be goalies Doug researched and focused specifically on goalie coaching. He really enjoyed the physical training aspect of coaching and creating dry land training workouts and he built a prowler for the kids to push/pull as part of the workout.

Being a Mopar man, he owned two Dodge Challengers along with many motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and trucks throughout his life. Doug was very hands on and a devoted do it yourselfer and spent much time outdoors working on his various jobs, or cleaning his ‘toys’. Among his friends they often use the term “Dougie approved” when cleaning their own vehicles or would make a point to clean before coming to visit him knowing he would point out any spot they missed.

Doug was diagnosed in Dec 2024 and fought the good fight trying any and all treatments offered at both Lakeridge Health Oshawa and at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Doug spent his last 6 weeks at LHO before going into Marigold Hospice in Newcastle with his family by his side during these past few weeks. Even during his last weeks in care Doug counseled other cancer patients providing advice and guidance proving he lived a full life of service. And a life in the service of others is a life well spent.

Two celebrations of life will take place in Doug’s honour. One on Thursday, July 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Durham Regional Police Association, 725 Conlin Road in Whitby.

The second will take place on Sunday, July 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the New Hamburg Legion, 65 Boullee Street, New Hamburg.

In lieu of flowers the family requests you consider a donation to Marigold Hospice in Newcastle ON.

Celebration of Life