basic officer training - summer of 1975 - at base borden

On Doug’s Facebook page he had posted the following to go along with the BOTC picture: “Back in the summer of '75 when The Eagles topped the charts with "One of these nights" and KC and the Sunshine Band's "Get down tonight" had hips swaying and we were strutting to the BeeGees' hit "Jive Talkin'" a bunch of us teenage officer cadets were sweating it out on our Basic Officer Training Course at Base Borden. We spit-shined our parade boats at night to the hits coming to us over the AM band from a radio station in Barrie, that reduced its signal output at 9 p.m. sharp, every night. Whenever I hear those songs today, I am transported back in time and memories of the great friendships we cemented that summer make me smile. BTW, that's me on the far right. (Thank you, Nelson Cross Cross, for this awesome pic!)”

don leslie’s wedding that doug (kneeling on the far right) attended along with fellow cmr classmates - held on 28 april 1979 - from doug’s facebook page, posted on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.

celebrating a birthday with his mother (“bonne fete DOUG”!)

in his naval whites while servings as aide-de-camp for the governor general jean sauve

From Randy Smith - I spent my last two years at CMR before graduation and was friends with Doug. We affectionately called him "chien peut-être" [a literal translation of his name, sort of, i.e., Dog Maybe”]. One of the fond memories i have of Doug was when he was the senior aide-de-camp for Governor General (GG) Jean Sauve. I was tasked to represent the office of the Judge Advocate General on the 1st of January and meet the GG on Parliament Hill. Since Doug was announcing us, when my turn came up, we had a pleasant conversation but I could see that the GG was … well let’s just say she was “not amused”. Pete Harrison was on the opposite side (also posted to the GG) and was watching us and … well, let’s just say he was amused! Doug was in no hurry to end our conversation, LOL.

Seriously, Doug was a kind, compassionate and good person. He will be missed.

From Pete Harrison: Doug and I worked together at Rideau Hall as Aide-de-camps for Mme Sauve. He took me under his wing and helped me with all of the protocol and procedures and even with my French - picture that - a couple of Anglo "Islanders" (him from St John's and me from Victoria) speaking French to each other! We became great friends, and I was his best man at his wedding to Susan. We stayed in touch throughout the years and got together whenever possible. He was a fantastic person - dedicated husband and father to Reed and Spencer; a gregarious, caring and generous man. RIP Doug the Dude!