Born September 18, 1937 in Guelph, Ontario, Douglas passed away peacefully on April 9, 2019. The second son of Kathleen and Grant Campbell, Doug is survived by Catherine – his loving and supportive wife of 38 years, his children Andrew, Fiona, Clayton, Duncan, and their families, his siblings Duncan, Scott, Rosemary and their families, and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Doug was educated at rural schools in Ontario, St. Andrew’s College and the Ontario Agricultural College. He was then selected into Canada’s foreign service where he proudly served for 38 years living and working in countries in Asia, the Middle East, North America, Latin America and Australia.
In 1997, Doug and Catherine retired to Victoria where he became active with the BC Liberal Party, Newcomers Club, Property Assessment Review Boards, Canadian International Council and Probus. Doug was also a Life Master in duplicate bridge and a grateful friend of Bill W. for many years.
A Christian Funeral Service will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Monday, April 29th at 2.00 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
31 Responses
From my time working with Doug in Miami as his trade officer, my wife, Marilu, and I will always remember fondly the wonderful and beautiful gatherings that Doug and Catherine hosted at their home. Doug was the best boss I ever had in my life. I am just now discovering that he passed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Catherine and their family.
I really admired Doug. He was the best trade commissioner I knew, and I always looked up to him. He made a great contribution to the Trade Commissioner Service.
Sincere condolences to Catherine and the children. I knew Doug from our time together at SAC and OAC and enjoyed reunions with Doug and Catherine when our class gathered. May those special moments that come to mind lighten your hearts as you celebrate Doug’s life. Robbie Keith.
I’m sorry to hear of the passing of Doug, I’m sure you will look back on the lifetime of memories you have for some comfort
Sincere condolences
Andrea
Dear Catherine
I was so sorry to get your news about Doug. My relationship with Doug goes back to when we were sixteen…..working with show cattle on Doug’s family farm. We had many things in common and shared many experiences. Things like going on double dates,(he had access to a car,)sharing a bowl of birds-nest soup(and suffering the consequences at Leechee Garden in Toronto.)It goes on and on.Our son is named after him…Craig Douglas.
I enjoyed his humor and admired his decisiveness. He was a good man and there aren’t many like him. He will be greatly missed.
Our condolences, Catherine. We will miss Doug’s friendship and for me especially, my long conversations with Doug, in Spanish of course. Doug told me some of his adventures in South America and I wish I had heard more of it; he had traveled so much, lived through so many experiences, that I could listen to him for ever. We will miss him and all we can do now is offer you our support and friendship. We love you Catherine.
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Doug trained me to be a Canadian Trade Commissioner back in the 80’s when we were together in the Latin America & Caribbean Branch. Not only the consummate TC, he was a helluva fun guy. Golfing together in Miami was a blast. I wish I could have attended more of his Trade Commissioner lunches in Victoria. Doug was a champion. Our thoughts are with Catherine and we share your loss.
Tom & Sandra Bearss, Delta, BC
You know that you have Judith’s and my deepest sympathies, Catherine. While Doug and I served for many years together as trade commissioners, and knew each other, we never had the opportunity to work directly together. It was when Judith and I moved to Victoria that we got to know Doug and Catherine. They very generously welcomed us into their home several times, and introduced us to bridge in Victoria. And Doug was the driving force behind, and stalwart organizer of, TCS lunches at least 2 or 3 times a year, the last one attended by about a dozen of us this past December. He truly kept the TCS spirit together in this part of the world. And he did this, being largely wheelchair bound for the past few years. He was always a great conversationalist with sage opinions on many subjects. When I visited him in the hospital a few weeks ago, we chatted about the “old days” and he regaled me with names and stories from decades ago, including mention of a few of those that have contributed to this “gathering of condolences”. Judith remembers his kindness and a touching story he told her about his first date with Catherine. Doug will be sorely missed.
Catherine and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Doug was a good neighbour. Doug and I had a lively conversation about SNC Lavalin in our condo parkade about a month ago. We also talked frequently about the scourge of MS as my daughter also has the disease. May Doug rest in peace.
Vicky and I send our most sincere condolences Catherine. Doug loved being a Trade Commissioner – connecting Canadian business people with the contacts he carefully made in his various foreign postings. Increasing bilateral trade was his constant goal and he and Catherine made a huge contribution to this global effort. RIP Doug.