Douglas Roderick Crowe
Lieu de naissance : New Waterford
Date de naissance : 17 mai 1928
Lieu de décès : New Waterford
Date de décès : 12 juillet 2015
On the afternoon of July 12, 2015 at Maple Hill Manor in New Waterford, the heart of an amazing man stopped beating. Douglas Roderick Crowe, surrounded by his loving and devoted family, joined the love of his life Eileen into eternal life.
Doug was born in New Waterford on May 17, 1928, the 5th of 10 children of Bridget(Morrison) and Neil Allan Crowe.
He attended school at St.Agnes. He was first employed at Eaton's in New Waterford at the age of 17, then later brushed in the coal mine at Number 12 Colliery. On October 28,1947 he married the beautiful Eileen Isabel Gillis. He followed in his father's footsteps when he joined the New Waterford Police Department on Dec. 24,1954. Dad became chief of police of the Town of New Waterford in 1967. He was a great mentor to the young police cadets and was very proud to serve the community of New Waterford until his retirement in 1993. He was extremely proud when his son Wayne and grandsons Tony and Mark chose a career in policing adding to the legacy started by his father.
Doug served as president of the Maritime Chiefs of Police Association as well as president of the Canadian Chiefs of Police Association.
Throughout his life, Doug was committed to the betterment of his community not only through his work but also through his involvement in many clubs and organizations. Since 1960 he was a devoted and faithful member of the Parish of St. Leonard (formerly Mount Carmel parish). He was also a member of the Lion's Club and Rotary Club. Doug served as a mentor to young people through his involvement with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets. He was a member of the Sydney Curling Club where he thoroughly enjoyed playing Tarabish with his many friends. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Lingan Golf and Country Club.
Doug and Eileen enjoyed a life filled with love, laughter, dancing, entertaining friends and family and serving their community. By far their greatest and proudest accomplishment was their children. They were committed to providing a loving and happy home not only for their four children but they also opened their home to many extended family members in need of a loving family environment.
After the devastating death of his wife Eileen in 1988, Doug took on the role of both Dad and Mom to his children and their families. He continued his routine of cooking Sunday dinner (as he always did for Eileen to give her a break from cooking). Upon her death he also learned to bake to fulfill another void left by the loss of Eileen. Although his children rallied around him after the death of their Mom, Doug's main concern was for the health and welfare of everyone but himself. His gift of humour, caring, devotion and wonderful culinary skills led to the continued tradition of Sunday dinners at Papa Doug's filled with laughter, great conversation and a togetherness not always experienced in today's fast paced society.
Doug is survived by his son Wayne (Barbara) and their sons Tony (Alysia), Robert (Kristy) and Mark (April), his daughter Debbie (Gerard) MacDonald and their children Kelly (Todd) and Ryan (Johanne), sons Shaun (Bill) and David (Michelle) and their daughters Caitlyn (Dylan) and Kristin. He was the proud great-grandfather to Seth, Nate, Piper and Jordyn. Also surviving are Doug's sisters Kay (Clarence) Sampson,Glace Bay, Nancy Corbett, Acadia House, Maple Hill Manor and brother Charlie (Cavell), New Waterford and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Gillis. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. Doug was a great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, mentor and friend to many people who have been fortunate enough to be a part of the life and legacy of this great man.
Besides his parents and wife Eileen, Doug was predeceased by his son Billy in infancy in 1948, his son Shaun's former partner Warren P. MacDonald Q.C. in 1997 and his father-in-law and great friend Jim Gillis in 1989. He was also predeceased by his siblings Laughlin (aka Buster), Alexander, Renee (Teddy), Jackie (Larry ), Dee (John) and Mary (Bernie) and his brother-in-law Wallace Corbett. Also predeceasing him were several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff of Maple Hill Manor for their care and concern for Dad over the past few months. We would also like to thank Theresa Poirier, Susie Head and Mildred Bernasky who assisted Dad in maintaining his home in the years following the loss of Eileen. A very big thank-you goes out to a special lady, Carmella Lee, who generously gave up her room at Maple Hill Manor in the days prior to Doug's passing. This enabled the family to rally around and care for Dad with the privacy and respect he so deserved. It also gave us an opportunity to privately share in our grief through the story telling that Dad so enjoyed!
Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Chief Douglas Crowe (retired) will be held Thursday, July 16, 2015 from 5-9 at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass to celebrate the life of this wonderful man will be held Friday, July 17, 2015 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard's, Mount Carmel Avenue with Fr. Ray Huntley officiating. Burial will be in Mount Carmel Cemetery,sharing a plot with our mother, with a luncheon to follow at St. Leonard’s Parish Hall, Convent Street, New Waterford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Society of Canada or a charity of ones choice.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
“His charming ways and smiling face
are a pleasure to recall.
He had a kindly word for each
And died beloved by all.”
