Submitted by his wife

Dougie often found that there weren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all that he wanted. It turned out there weren’t enough years in his life.

Dougie was a lifetime member of Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department after twenty-five years of service‚ many as an officer and several as Chief. Being a firefighter wasn’t just something Dougie did – it was who he was. He held a full-time job‚ but it was more what he did between fire calls. He enjoyed hunting as his schedule allowed.

Dougie was a teacher to many in the fire department and at home. He wasn’t a patient and gentle guide. He taught with a high standard. He pushed you to achieve the perfection that he knew you had within. The kids now laugh when they take their cards out to be cleaned and detailed‚ because nobody comes close to detailing and cleaning the way Dougie taught them.

Dougie was an only child and had a deep love for his mother. He spent time helping her with upkeep of her home and upkeep of her yard to his high standards.

On September 16‚ 2001‚ Dougie was in a firetruck accident that left him a quadriplegic. Unlike many who are taken quickly‚ we were given 22 months to spend quality time and say all the things that others often wished they hadn’t left unsaid. With strong and stead friends standing next to him‚ Dougie used this time to let us know how much we all meant to him and to teach us courage and just how precious life is. Not a day goes by that Dougie‚ a memory or a lesson he taught us‚ is far away.

Dougie left his wife Renee‚ his mother Anne‚ five children – Samantha‚ Jessica‚ Justin‚ David and Matthew‚ and a grandson Collin to always remember what a special man we lost on July 9th‚ 2003.