Wallace, Douglas George – passed away with family at his side on November 6, 2013 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Born in South Shields, England on September 15, 1925 to Jennie (Jane) Gordon (nee Wallace). Douglas was predeceased by his beloved wife Catherine (Cathie) on January 10, 2009; his mother Jennie, stepfathers James O’Connell and Hugh Gordon.
He will be dearly missed by daughters Margaret (Terry) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Elizabeth (Joe) Sidney, B.C.; and son Brian (Laurie) Sooke, B.C.—also grandchildren Carolyn (Rob), Kim (Colin), Cheryl (Glen), Kelly (Craig), Jeff (Shalini), Jason (Lindsay) and Nicole (Angelo); great grandchildren Cory, Christopher, Katey, Samantha, Harley, Kyle, Marissa, Patrick, Ashley, Matt and Rory as well as family and close friends throughout the world.
Doug and Cathie immigrated to Canada in 1953, first to Toronto, ON; then to Burnaby, Langford and finally in 1971, to Sooke, B.C. Doug worked for the Sooke School District for several years, then as a young retiree, he opened the Sooke Lottery Centre. Always busy during his lifetime with service to others, Doug was a Past-President of the Sooke Branch 54 of the Royal Canadian Legion and a tireless service officer for the Canadian Merchant Navy Association. Doug served in the British Merchant Navy during WWII, which
included his ship (the Empire Tourist) being torpedoed near Russia. He received several medals for his participation, most recently the Arctic Star. Doug and Cathie loved to travel the world and spent their later years enjoying the warmth of the Mexican sun.
Muchas gracias to Dr. Cesar Gutierrez, Dr. Raymundo Aviles, Dr. Luis Arias, the staff at the Amerimed Hospital and Pamela Thompson of Health Care Resources in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Private family gathering at Doug’s request.
A celebration of Doug’s life will follow at a later date.
“The merchant seamen played their part. Remember them with all your heart.”