Norman, Douglas Woodrow
December 1, 1934 to February 16, 2022
Doug passed away peacefully February 16, 2022 at the Meaford Hospital at the age of 87.
He is remembered as the loving husband of Mary Ellen (nee Cabot Ross) for 63 years, an awesome father to his sons Jeff (Melani) and Chris, grandfather to Stephen (Cailey), Patricia (Alex), Jennifer (Richard), Nova (Jonathan) and Samuel, and great grandfather to Ridley and Evie.
He is also survived by his sister Connie Stinson and predeceased by his brother George.
His family are all grateful for his dedication to us, his example of how to live a quality life, and his beaming enthusiasm and smile.
He was born Dec 1, 1934 in Sudbury to George and Norma Norman (Cordingly) of Copper Cliff. There he learned to ski, joined air cadets and first learned to fly. He attended McGill University to study engineering (with a second major in bridge).
Following university he joined the RCAF and trained to become a pilot at RCAF stations: Moose Jaw, Cold Lake, and Centralia. He received his wings in Gimli Manitoba then was stationed to 428 squadron flying CF100 jet fighters. Doug also served at Falconbridge, then Parent QC during the high alert period of the Cuban missile crisis. While taking NORAD training at Centralia AFB in 1957, Doug, the exciting airforce pilot, successfully wooed Mary Ellen of St Thomas and they married in 1959.
In the mid 60’s after retiring from the airforce, they moved to London where Mary Ellen worked as a nurse and Doug began his entrepreneurial business career. He developed the first coin operated carwash in Ontario, then expanded to build and sell carwash equipment across Ontario. In the 70’s the business took Doug and family to Markham, then North York and into property development.
Often ahead of the curve, Doug and Mary Ellen “Retired” to Thornbury where Doug kept busy with sports, operated the local video store for several years, served as a Thornbury town counsellor, Georgian Trail founding director, and on the executive of Probus. Doug was very social and his many friends will remember him for his enthusiasm for masters ski racing, mountain biking (that was at times a bit overambitious), water sports and other adventurous activities. A lifelong skier, Doug infused his family with the love of skiing, first at London Ski Club and Toronto Ski Club, then Georgian Peaks from 1987. He continued skiing until age 80 and cycling until he reluctantly hung up his bike at 83. A constant thinker, tinkerer and builder, Doug created many things including building the family cottage at Lake Panache, and the chalet in Thornbury.
Many thanks to Dr. Collins, the medical, nursing and support staff at Owen Sound and Meaford Hospitals for the great care he received.
A celebration of Doug’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meaford Hospital Foundation or the Beaver Valley Outreach through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
Details
Celebration of Doug’s Life will take place at a later date.
Donations: Meaford Hospital Foundation or the Beaver Valley Outreach
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Norman Douglas Woodrow 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Meaford, Province: Ontario