Douglas Stanley "Doug" Baxter

1925 - 2015

July 15, 1925 – May 24, 2015
Doug was born in Port Arthur, and as Pat can attest, he was proud to have been raised at 31 Hallie (Upper Tupper) Street. He was the second son for John and Eveline (Rose) Baxter and brother/foil to Jack. A graduate of Pine Street School, Doug fittingly returned to the site this past fall for one last term. Afterwards, leaving 'Tech' early to help support his family, he worked at the Shipyards until taking to the high seas where Able Seaman, ASDIC operator Baxter, was assigned to convoy escort duty on the North Atlantic. However, never one to hold a grudge, after the War, Doug and Pat drove a series of reliable Volkswagens and Mercedes. Doug met the love of his life, Patricia, at the Rose Marie Tearoom on Court Street in the summer of 1941 (sounds like a great movie), followed through on an offer to service her bicycle, and set in motion a 75 year love affair. The young couple was married on August 27, 1947. Then, like his father before him and his son afterwards, Doug worked in the car shed for Sask Pool 6, another source of great stories. In 1949 he joined the Fire Department, serving the citizens of Port Arthur and later Thunder Bay for over 35 years, retiring as District Chief. When Doug found something he liked he stuck with it. Son Mitchell in '53 and daughter Laura in '58 rounded out the Baxter family and Doug took to fatherhood like a firefighter to smoke. Though his career path was set, Doug was a comedian at heart. He admired Groucho and Jonathon Winters, did a remarkable Inspector Clouseau, could recite Monty Python routines by heart, and had a killer 'Invisible Yo-Yo' routine. With these skills honed, he was ready for his ultimate role - Grampa. Brianna, Brittany, and Christa were the perfect adored and adoring audience, as were countless other 'courtesy' grandchildren across Canada - you know who you are! It is wonderful to see that great-grandson Callum has inherited that mischievous twinkle so often present in G.G. Doug's eye. He was a dedicated handyman and builder, and with Pat at his side, used these skills in the community (the Volunteer Pool Project and the Toys for Tots charity come to mind) and at home. Together they built houses and turned them into homes and transformed a wild piece of property into an Oasis at Hawkeye Lake. Membership in the Royal Canadian Naval Association, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 5, the 55 Club, the NDP (lifetime membership award), curling (1960 Northern Ontario Fire Fighters Champion), and travelling the world helped to keep Doug out of trouble. However, long before the first dreaded snowflakes flew, Doug and Pat were off to Gulfport, FL, (direct via Edmonton) where they entertained family and friends for over 30 years. Summers were made for camp at Hawkeye and provided continuous and equal portions of pure fun and hard work. Capt. Doug and the crew of the Seaweeds I and II were indeed a bone to be chewed when the sun of the summer came shining (why does that line ring a bell?). Left in the Captain's Cabin keeping watch: wife, Patricia; son, Mitchell (Cathie Colquhoun); daughter, Laura (Ed) Hay; grandchildren, Brianna (Geoff Wright), Brittany, and Christa; great-grandson Callum. Left patrolling the West Coast are the families of: niece Beverly (Steve); nephew Ted (Nonie); and late nephew Doug's wife Linda. Waiting on deck to pipe him aboard are Jack, Marie, and young Doug. Special thanks to a good mate and doctor, Stewart Kennedy, for navigating Doug through troubled waters over the years. We are sure that Doug would want us to share a laugh and a hug, remembering him sitting in the 'No Fly Zone', a Scotch in hand, working on a new routine: as Groucho- "intending to live forever, or die trying"; as Oliver Hardy- "that's another fine mess you've gotten us into"; or perhaps, just laying back and "pining for the fjords". Doug's remains have been cremated- not unlike Sam McGee- and there will be no service at this time. No flowers please. For those so inclined, we suggest you consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. Thank you!

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