John "Douglas" Davidson passed away peacefully on October 30, 2020. Douglas or Dugan as he was called by friends was 93 years old and the eldest member of the Davidson Clan at his passing. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, daughter Margaret (Scott Wells), sons James and Douglas, his granddaughters Stephanie and Carly and his large contingent of nephews and nieces and their families.
Douglas was born in Vancouver, B.C. and grew up in his parents’ house on Dunbar street where he attended Bayview Elementary School and Kitsilano High School. He had a strong interest in sports and was a gifted athlete in basketball, tennis, rugby, swimming, diving and golf. At a young age he competed both in swimming and diving and spent many of his summers both as a child and an adult at Crescent Beach.
Doug worked for MacMillan Bloedel in Vancouver and Montreal and had a successful career as a sales manager across Canada. He moved his family back to Vancouver in 1965 to his home in Dunbar. His strong administrative skills would come in handy in helping sports’ organizations like Dunbar Soccer, Empire Pool Swim Club and the over 40’s Evergreen Rugby Club.
All through the years he remained close to his childhood friends the Sainas’, the Olivers’ and his teammates of the Kats and Evergreen Rugby clubs. There were many events such as the Bullfinch where friends gathered to play sports, laugh over ice cubes and enjoy interesting conversations. There were many international rugby trips that he helped to organize where he would regale us all with the many adventures that happened along the way.
Douglas started the first Davidson reunion which began a yearly get together. He loved seeing all of his nieces and nephews, their children and the wives of his brothers. He had a great love of music with an amazing collection of Big Band records enjoying Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Bunny Berigan among some of his favourites.
Doug met his wife Lorraine at MacMillan Bloedel and after their first date would never part. They have had a long happy marriage of 62 years. He was a family man who loved his wife completely and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. He was a great storyteller and his positive energy and competitive spirit will be missed.
The family would like to thank everyone for all the kind words and thoughts we have received and would also like to thank our family doctor, all of the care workers, attending doctors and nurses at VGH and the Broadway Pentecostal Lodge.
There will be a celebration of his life at a later time when it is safe.