Douglas 'Dougie' Pembroke
Lieu de naissance : River Ryan
Date de naissance : 4 janvier 1930
Lieu de décès : Sydney
Date de décès : 1er mai 2014
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved father, Douglas, on May 1, 2014 at Harbourstone Enhanced Care where he had been a resident for the past 3½ years.
He was born on January 4, 1930 in River Ryan, the eldest son of Patrick and Ada (Ryan) Pembroke.
He left school at age 15, after the untimely death of his mother, to help out at home. His first job was delivering groceries for Hoffman’s Store (The Blue Store) with a horse and wagon.
Eventually, as with many of his generation, he entered the coal mines, in 1947 and was employed at #12, #16 and #18 mines providing for his growing family. He was known for his strong work ethic.
In the late 60’s, while still working underground, he returned to night school at Mount Carmel and completed his high school education. Auspiciously, around that time the Cape Breton Development Corporation was introducing a scholarship program which enabled him to attend university. He began his studies at Xavier College in Sydney in 1969 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Education from St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish in 1973.
After graduation, he was employed by the Cape Breton Development Corporation in Human Resources in a number of positions including Training Supervisor of Education and Metrification Officer.
He retired on June 29, 1989 and was able to spend more time at “the cabin” on Campbelldale Rd., Mira, where he and Dotty spent many happy days. Daddy loved listening to music and playing the guitar. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, horseshoes and berry picking. He could turn his hand to anything, whether it be carpentry, plumbing and electrical work and was a jack of all trades.
With our dear mother they raised 11 children in our home on Arthur Street and was so proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brightened their lives with love and laughter.
Besides his parents and stepmother, Rose, he was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Dorothy (Kalbhenn), on November 8, 2013; sister Marie; brothers Patrick and Gerard in infancy and daughter-in-law Betty Pembroke.
He is survived by his children Patrick (Helen), Judy (Don), Peter (Jackie), Bernard, Sheila (Lawrence), Colleen (Edmund), Lilly (Mike), Anna (David), Rose (Michael), Paul (Tracy) and Ryan (Sandra).
Also left to mourn are his many grandchildren Chris, Corey, Heather, Katie, Alexa, Laurie-Ann, Beth, Andrew, Jill, Jason, Lisa, Curtis, Robert, Colin, Jaclynn, Aaron, Matthew, Liam, David, Nicholas, Cara, Brett, Calvin and Amanda, great grandchildren, Joshua, Sarah, Rylan, Gabriel, Mick, Ella, Leigha, Logan, Hector, Mason, Emma, Kaja, Mia, Hunter, Luke, Bryson, Kate, and Eleanor.
Also surviving are his brother Michael (Donna); and sisters Rita, Ada (Frank), Helen (Bill), Sheila, Anna (Malkie), Eileen (Art), Lilly (Steve), Theresa (John) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a private visitation at V.J. McGillivary Funeral Home in New Waterford, followed by a funeral mass at St. Leonard’s Parish at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 6, 2014 with Father Ray Huntley officiating. Interment to take place immediately afterwards at Mount Carmel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending donations to the St Vincent De Paul Society in New Waterford.
Online condolences to the family can be placed at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
Heart of a Father
All the sacrifices made
All the love you gave
All the sweat you laid
All the joy and also the pain
These can be seen in the heart of a father
May you finally have rest in the hereafter.
