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Douglas FRIESEN Obituary
April 22, 1964 - July 30, 2013
Died peacefully in Vancouver after a long struggle with a brain tumour and multiple sclerosis. Doug attended school first in Vancouver at Trafalgar Elementary and Prince of Wales Secondary, and completed his high school years at St. Michael's University School in Victoria. He attended the University of British Columbia and Queen's University in Kingston, earning Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Public Administration degrees. After working for a number of years in Toronto for the government of Ontario, Doug's career took him back to Vancouver, where he worked for Cornerstone Planning and Context Research. A world traveller, Doug visited over 30 countries, gaining deep respect and understanding of other cultures. This experience, along with his natural compassion, modesty and tireless courtesy, made him loved and respected by many friends from all walks of life. As his disease progressed over the last few years, Doug focused his attention on his beloved wife Ruth Casey and daughter Lily, enjoying their loving family life, their neighbourhood, and their many close and wonderful friends. Doug will be truly and deeply missed by Ruth and Lily, by his mother Madelyn, brother Peter, and sister Jane, and by Ruth's parents David and Alberta Casey, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Wroz (Paul) and Judith Johnston (Peter). Doug was fiercely proud of his nieces and nephews, Rebecca, Jessica, Michael, Andrew, Patrick, Adam, William and Jack. Doug is predeceased by his father, Dr. Leo Friesen, and his sister Joanne. Many thanks to the brain tumour team at the B.C. Cancer Agency and the wonderful nurses and care aids on Five East. Deep gratitude goes to the caring and compassionate team at Marion Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations to the B.C. Cancer Agency would be greatly appreciated. A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013 at THE UNITARIAN CHURCH OF VANCOUVER, 949 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Condolences may be sent at www.mbfunerals.com
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18 Entries
August 26, 2013
To Ruth, Lily and Family,
We are deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Doug was a delightful and warm person who we enjoyed passing greetings with and getting to know through our children for years at Emma's and Spare Time. Grant and I admired him as an individual and a parent for his courage, grace and positive attitude every day and especially throughout his most trying times. We wish you much strength in your grief and in your struggles to move onward with his memory. He will be sorely missed.
With love and care, Alana and Grant, Claire and Kate
Erin Anne Beirne
August 11, 2013
To Doug's Loved Ones, especially Ruth and Lily,
I'm so very, very sorry for your loss.
Doug was a lovely person, a beautiful soul. His courage about his diseases and by his love for you were inspiring. I am so grateful to have reconnected with him at SMUS functions and our class reunion last year; we will miss him very much at future gatherings.
I feel blessed to have known him. May he live on in all our hearts.
ea/
Susan, Éric, Thomas and Yann
August 9, 2013
Dear Ruth and Lily, I am so sorry to hear this news. Doug was such a wonderful guy - easygoing, ready with a laugh, always interested. I wish you both strength to grieve and honour Doug's life in your individual ways. He will be so missed. Take good care.
Erin Parish
August 9, 2013
Peter and Family I am sorry for your loss. God Bless
Erin Parish (friend of Peter)
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Barbara And Victor
August 3, 2013
Dear Ruth, Lily and Family,
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. We cannot agree more with many of the messages here----Doug was one of the most genuine, kind and friendly persons we've ever met. He was the reason why our neighborhood has this rare familial feel. We are very honored to have known him and he will continue to inspire us all to be kinder and care more for our families, our neighbors, and our community.
Debbie Leboe
August 3, 2013
Dear Ruth and Lily
So sorry for your loss. Doug was such a bright light. Such a friendly face at school in the mornings. Sending you both love and strength.
Debbie Leboe
Kirsty Legge
August 2, 2013
Dear Ruth and Lily,
We are going to so miss seeing Doug in the back alley and in the neighbourhood; we so enjoyed our impromto meetings when he was out and about with Lily. He was a very friendly and sweet friend to both our kids and us and we will really miss his generous spirit. A very special person.
Sidney
August 2, 2013
Dear Ruth and Lily,
We are sorry for your loss. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his wonderful family.
August 2, 2013
My deepest sympathy. Although I had known Doug for only a short period of time I grew to enjoy his fun loving smile and wonderful nature. A nice and wonderful man! He will be truly missed by anyone who he was in contact with him.
With the greatest of respect and warm thoughts I mourn your loss. Sincerely, Alex Tkach
Todd Richards
August 2, 2013
Dear Ruth, Lily and family,
I'm so very sorry to hear of Doug's passing. I met Doug many years ago at Queens sharing a row house with with him, George and Kelly. We had many an adventure together as young university students do. It was always Doug that kept us in line before we truly got in trouble. I will always treasure those memories. Doug was one of the most genuine and sincere people I met and he positively impacted my life. Please accept our condolences, the Richards family.
Tamara
August 2, 2013
Ruth and Lily, I hope you know that there is a lot of love supporting you right now. We will miss Doug's friendly nature, kind heart and willingness to help around the school. His bright and beautiful soul will be missed by an entire neighbourhood. My sympathies for your loss.
Ljuba, John, Sasha & Peter Pavlovich
August 1, 2013
Dear Ruth, Lily and family,
We are so sorry to hear that Douglas has passed away. His warm, kind and sympathetic nature will be remembered by those whose lives he touched. May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Meghan Hall
August 1, 2013
We will always remember Doug fondly. When we moved to the neighborhood, Doug and Lily were the first smiling faces we saw, playing in the lane. As the months went on, Doug and family were always around for a chat, or a generous baby gift for our son. I believe that it was Doug who made our neighborhood a community with his block parties and his ability to bring people together. We are so saddened to hear of your loss Ruth and Lily. His presence will live on forever in our lane where so many friendships have been forged. If you need anything, please come on over. Love from Meghan, Jon and Jules.
the Rennie Family (friends of Peter)
August 1, 2013
To Ruth and Lily and all of the Friesen family, we are so very sorry for your loss.
Elena Del Bianco
July 31, 2013
Dear Ruth and Lily, Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Doug was a very special person to everyone in our neighbourhood. Doug was friendly and a caring person to everyone who knew him. We are so luckily to have known him and we will miss him very much. We have wonderful memories of all the block parties that Doug was a big part of in our neighbourhood. He will be missed by everyone, but never forgotten. Maria, Ugo, Elena and family.
Dae Cadman
July 31, 2013
Doug was one of the first parents I met when Thea started at General Wolfe. He introduced himself and I was immediately struck by his warmth and good humour. It always meant a lot to me as I always feel like I have an awkward time breaking the ice with people. Not with Doug! He was always the first to lend a hand and I will miss him around the school and neighbourhood. I wish Ruth and Lily strength and love.
Carol Schinkel
July 31, 2013
To all the Friesen Family...
Doug was a very very special man to everyone crossed paths with him and I am so sorry for your loss.
When we worked together on the Evergreen Line I learned so much about him and his love for his family.
He is a friend I will miss.
Barbara Cade-Menun
July 31, 2013
Dear Ruth and Lily, My deepest sympathy for your loss. I'm so glad I had a chance to see Doug, and meet you, at the SMU reunion last year. Barbara
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