When he returned to Canada in January, 1946,
his parents had lived on Deer Island and were back in Campobello. Doug's mother had saved his pay while he had been overseas and he bought a restaurant with the money. He and his mother ran the restaurant together- she did the cooking, I am sure. Doug took flying lessons from Ross Furman in Easport, and this led to a lifelong love for flying.
The family returned to Grand Manan in 1948, where Doug followed the family tradition of carpenter work and worked with Lawrie Ingersoll, Harvey Tatton and his friend Gordon Ingersoll.
Doug married Geraldine Brown in 1950 and continued working as a carpenter for a few years. After a brief separation, he began working for NB Power in Saint John, studying
at night. He moved the family to Saint John a few months later, but due to circumstances beyond his control, moved back to Grand Manan in 1955. Aug. 1, 1955 he was hired by the Dept. of Transport as a lightkeeper, which was to be his job for the next thirty two years.
His first job was on Great Duck Island, from 1955 to 1960, then Head Harbour on Campobello from 1960 to 1971,
Gannet Rock 1971 to 1974. He and his first wife had separated and it was during this time that I met Doug. He has been the focal point of my life ever since. In 1974 Doug was transferred to South West Head and remained there until Oct. 1987, at which time he was given early retirement when the Lighthouse was automated. Three years before his retirement, we bought our home in Seal Cove, the house formerly built by George Daggett for his sister and her husband.
Doug was a quiet and unassuming man, but inside very passionate about his feelings. The most important things to him were his children and his war experiences. When our daughter Sybil was born in 1979, his first family was grown and several of them married. He already had seven grandchildren. Two of the children lived with us for a few months and several of the grandchildren spent a great deal of time with us when they were young. In the last few years Stephan and Patrick, Blaine's sons, stayed with us often and that was wonderful for Doug, and company for Sybil as well.
Doug suffered through many illnesses during our years together. He had his first heart attack in Feb. 1975 and was often ill until he had bypass surgery in Nov. 1982. Before this surgery, he was so weak that he could not even walk to the lighthouse from our house at South West Head without stopping for a rest. It was a very stressful time for both of us and the doctor told me that he might not live through the waiting period. Luckily, the surgery was very successful and he was a new and healthy man as a result. He bought a bicycle and biked and walked many, many miles.
Over the years he had seven other surgeries, but he never seemed to age - he always had a spring in his step and was one of the wittiest people I have ever known, in spite of the many obstacles he faced in life. We were such good friends, as well as husband and wife; we talked and laughed - no matter how depressed I became over problems, he always was able to raise my spirits with his wit. That is one thing I miss so much without him here beside me. We also spent many hours walking on the Boardwalk through the woods at the Provincial Park. The night before he died, we walked there, and I have never been able to go back there alone. I miss our walks, our talks and all the things we did together. Sometimes it seems that he is still here and that he will walk through the door anytime. I still find notes that he left while I was at school when he went out. He usually signed them "Your prince", and they still make me laugh.
I have many photos of Doug, his children and grandchildren on his memorial pages.
Below are a few more photos of people who were very important to Doug.
