William DOUGLAS

William 'Blair' Douglas, a man of kindness, compassion and strength, passed away peacefully at North York General Hospital on Wednesday, May 31, at the age of 93. Predeceased by his cherished wife, Audrey, with whom he shared 57 beautiful years of marriage. He leaves behind a legacy of love and guidance for his son, Jon Douglas (Sylvia); and his daughter, Carole Kennedy (Marcus). Blair's love for his children was immeasurable, and his influence will forever shape their lives. His wisdom and compassion extended to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were fortunate to experience his affectionate presence. Born in Montreal, Blair grew up in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood with his two brothers, Glenn and Bob; and his parents, Alec and Alice Douglas. As a young man, he enjoyed and excelled in many team sports, including hockey and football. Blair attended West Hill High School before enrolling at McGill University, where he graduated with a Commerce degree in the fall of 1954. After graduation, he began his working career at the audit firm of Clarkson Gordon, where he earned his Chartered Accountant designation. During a successful business career in finance that spanned almost fifty years, Blair worked for many notable Canadian companies, such as John Inglis and Company, Fibreglass Canada, the Continental Can Company, and Canadian Gypsum, where he was Chief Financial Officer for over a decade. Blair always found solace and spiritual nourishment in the natural world that surrounded him. From hunting alongside his brother, Glenn, to camping with his children, he found joy in the simplicity and serenity of the wilderness. Later in life, he discovered a sense of tranquility in cross-country skiing and peaceful walks on the beach in Sanibel, accompanied by his beloved Audrey. In honor of Blair's memory, the family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, that charitable donations be made to the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital. Please join us for a heartfelt celebration of Blair's life on July 22, 2023. The event will take place at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, located at 375 Mt Pleasant Rd., Toronto, ON. We will begin gathering at 1:30 p.m., with the ceremony starting at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited to join us as we celebrate the joy, love, and cherished moments Blair brought into our lives.