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Irwin DougIRWIN, Douglas Larry Charles 'Doug' - (1934 - 2019) - Douglas (Doug) Larry Charles Irwin, aged 85, died peacefully at home on September 20, 2019 in Brampton, Ontario.

Doug is remembered by family and friends as a uniquely kind soul with a passion for helping others, enjoying even the smallest of life’s pleasures, and living his faith every day.

Born in Stratford, Ontario, Doug became a drum major for the local boys' marching band at the age of four, a post he would hold until he was eight. He even learned to tap dance and twirl a baton for the task. His drumming career was briefly interrupted by a year-long hospitalized battle with spinal meningitis, which he survived after receiving an experimental treatment. The five other children with him in isolation passed away from the infection. This early challenge was the beginning of a lifetime of resiliency and optimism.

Doug met Joanne Spencer in high school. She walked across the school dance floor and asked him to dance, to which he said, “I don’t dance.” Despite this rocky start, they began dating in Grade 11, and he proposed when she was 17 and he 19 on her birthday in the Avon Theatre. They were married in 1956, and enjoyed 63 years together as husband and wife.

Spotting an opportunity at Kroehler’s Furniture Company, Doug left high school early to start a lifelong career in the furniture business. He worked his way up from office assistant to salesman, finally landing the Toronto sales region and the prestigious Eaton’s account. This career trajectory took him and his family from Stratford to Belleville before finally settling in Bramalea, Ontario in 1968 with Joanne and his two young daughters, Lisa (Elder) and Tina (Clarke).

To summarize Doug’s life is to assemble a puzzle of many important pieces. From his devotion to the church, where he spent hours of time, energy, and faith; to his work ethic, including taking on hockey refereeing gigs to earn extra Christmas money for the girls; to fishing, a sport at which he was never very good but loved anyhow; to a constant quest for knowledge including taking Greek and Latin courses so he could translate old scripture, and a computer certification program in his 70s.

The common thread tying all of these pieces together was his kindness, and his willingness to do anything he could to help anyone. The sound of his cheerful whistling is missed around the neighbourhood, and is the perfect metaphor for his positive demeanour throughout life. Despite his near decade-long battle with cancer, his sickness never defined him.

At 6 foot 3, Big Doug, or “Boots” as his childhood friends called him, was tall in so many ways. He was a pillar of his community, volunteering generous amounts of his time at the Emmanuel United Church, the Special Olympics, and various hockey teams throughout the years. His large energy and zest for life will not be forgotten, nor will his love of the simple pleasures like ice cream, puzzles, and egg nog. More than anything else, though, he loved his family. He loved his friends, his community, and his life. When he passed, he did so having lived a life rich in love.

Doug is survived by his wife Joanne, his daughters Lisa Elder (Rob) and Tina Clarke (Michael), and his grandchildren Courtney Symons (Stephen Jardeleza) and Cameron Symons whom he loved fiercely.

A celebration of his life will take place on Tuesday, October 15th at 11 AM at Emmanuel United Church at 420 Balmoral Drive in Brampton. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to Emmanuel United Church or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements with Andrews funeral home, Brampton.

Rest in peace, Doug, Dad, Popa, Mr. Irwin, Boots, and every other term of endearment you acquired over the years. We miss you already.

TorontoObituaries.com

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