Douglas Bryant "Doug" Boardman

On June 15, 2025, Douglas Bryant Boardman embarked on a final journey from his Lakeland, Florida home. His ship set sail gently and peacefully, as he left the tender care of his wife of 41 years, Bernadette (Konopka) Boardman.

Doug was a kind, considerate man of even temperament and few words, who lived life by the Golden Rule and to its fullest. He always found contentment in the smallest pleasures, and didn't "sweat the small stuff." Throughout his six-month trek with metastasized melanoma, he reassured all that he was "doing fine" and had no pain. His sense of humor and fun prevailed even in his last weeks, when he mused that "nobody gets out alive."

Doug was always an industrious worker: First on his paper route and the Bird Dairy farm (Norwood, MA), then as a golf caddy. While attending Bentley College in Boston, he began his career in the retail food industry with Star Market Co., rising through the ranks and becoming known for his patient training abilities, outstanding managerial talents, and sharp yet fair negotiating skills with suppliers. He eventually channeled this experience into his co-owned business with Bernadette. They opened and operated gourmet food/gift stores with cafes, then expanded to shopping mall kiosks, for over 20 years.

Doug was passionate about golf, and was an ardent fan of all New England sports teams. He enjoyed music across many genres. Doug loved to play chess, board and card games, (notably cribbage and sequence) and excelled at puzzles of all kinds. A first-rate storyteller and a great listener, he was always ready with a good anecdote or a bad pun.

Possessing near-encyclopedic knowledge of world geography, he was proud to have motored through every U.S. state and nearly all the Canadian provinces. Eventually, he explored 88 countries, appreciating their varied cultures and forming lasting international friendships. Doug was always happy to return to his Maritime roots on what he described as "God's heaven on earth," Prince Edward Island.

Doug is the beloved son of the late Alfred L. and Ruth (Fisher) Boardman, of Woonsocket, RI, and Fisher Hill, Kent County, New Brunswick, Canada, respectively. He is also preceded in death by his siblings T. Bruce Boardman and Dorcas Thompson, brother-in-law William Thompson, and first wife Donna (Flood) Boardman.

Left in both Canada and the US to travel on life's road without Doug (Dad, Grandpa, Big Doug, Uncle D, Dough, Dug) are:

Loving wife Bernadette; sons of his first marriage Robert (San) Boardman and David (Barbara) Boardman; grandchildren Phoenix, Lee, Kinsey, Owen, and Alyssa; niece Becky (Thompson) Mandia; sister-in-law Debbie (Bruce) and nephews Bill Smith and Terry Boardman; many more favorite in-laws, nephews, nieces, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members; and dear special friends, neighbors, golf buddies, and former co-workers.

Doug was deeply spiritual and found a welcoming community and caring support at Shepherd's Community UMC.

If you feel so moved, please consider a donation in memoriam to: Pastor's D Fund c/o SCUMC 6885 Chelsea Oaks Drive, Lakeland, FL 33811 OR to PEI's QEH Foundation: 902-894-2425. Online: www.qehfoundation.pe.ca.