Douglas Uren TATE

DOUGLAS UREN TATE July 15, 1923 - December 26, 2014

Fifteen minutes after the end of Christmas Day, 2014, Douglas Uren Tate, in his 92nd year while in palliative care. His devoted daughters, Deborah and Patricia each held a hand as Doug exhaled his last breath.
Doug was a young boy when the depression descended. The culture of that period shaped his character of saving the pennies to allow the dollars to take care of themselves. This forward-looking, positive attitude helped Doug in his future pharmaceutical career following graduation from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) degree in 1949.

While at university, Doug met Trudy at a bridge game. One game led to another and to a happy marriage. Both bridge and the marriage continued for many decades until Trudy's passing in 1999. Along the way they produced three children: Deborah (Brian), Keith (Heather) and Patricia (John). The children, in turn, allowed Doug and Trudy to enjoy 8 grandchildren: [Rebecca, Emily (Dustin) and Ben Bruser; Katelyn and Bronwyn McIntyre; Kyle, Ryan and Joel Tate]. Doug, unfortunately, will miss the birth of his first great-grandchild to be born to Emily and Dustin in February, 2015.

Dad grew up in Ingersoll, Ontario and enjoyed the fellowship of a large and supportive rural clan. Stories abound of their youthful shenanigans and our father's beautiful blue eyes would twinkle as he shared these with us. His rural roots informed his life-long love of agriculture and of the natural world. Dad loved to be active and outside whether at the cottage or on outings with his beloved walking stick club.

Doug began his career as a salesman with Kraft cheese and then selling pharmaceutical products. After the obligatory period as a travelling salesman, Doug quickly rose to various management positions finally moving to Toronto where the young family was raised to adulthood in Don Mills. Under his direction as President of McNeil Laboratories Canada and during his tenure with Ortho Pharmaceuticals, Canadians benefited from a variety of drugs introduced, including psychiatric medications, Tylenol and birth control pills - Doug, in this way, helped shape the demographics of Canada.

Although a darling with the crowd at social events, Doug also had a private side; this was most evident at the family cottage on Gloucester Pool. He cherished his times there from the 1960's until his last visit in the early autumn of 2014. Until then he continued to drive himself either alone or with his close companion of fifteen years, Barb Vallieres, to the cottage for extended periods. In fact, always the optimist, Doug purchased a jazzy sports car just a month before his passing. He was thrilled with its acquisition and commented that it had so many computerized operations that he would have to book a special driving lesson to learn how to operate it.

Dad's professional achievements and accolades were many but nothing mattered as much to him as family, relatives and friends; he was a superb connector staying in touch with people as far away as Australia and spending quality time with his beloved cousin Doreen Uren Simmons and nephew Mike Tate even as his health and energies declined. Doug's presence at any gathering acted as a magnet, drawing people together to bask in the glow of his humour and incredible optimism.

One of the tragedies of living to a grand age is the passage of those who precede. Doug was predeceased by his wife Trudy, his parents, Walter and Margery, his siblings, Jack and Keith, and many close relatives and friends. He is survived by all his loving children, grandchildren, dear friend Barb Vallieres, and her family, all of whom adored dad.
The family is grateful for Dad's long life and for the brevity of his final illness. Larger than life, our father seemed invincible.
Doug leaves many to mourn and to cherish his memory, which we will do as long as we all walk the earth. A service to celebrate Doug Tate's life was held at St. Cuthbert Anglican Church, Toronto at 11:00 a.m. on December 30th. The family extends its appreciation to all who attended the service and reception and to everyone who offered their condolences.

Donations, in memory, can be made to The Arthritis Society or to Childhood Cancer Canada.