April 3, 1928 – July 1, 2008
It is with profound sadness that we announce the loss of Douglas Prest; Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Friend. Doug enjoyed life to the fullest and was enjoying a game of golf with close friends when his heart failed. Born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta on April 3, 1928 to William Prest and Alice (nee Stuart), Doug was the youngest of three children, a brother, Norman Prest (Elaine) and a sister Dorothy Stone (deceased). The family moved from Wetaskiwin to Prince George and in 1932, to Duncan, BC, where Doug spent his childhood years. Doug was very active in a variety of sports and competed at the highest amateur level in both basketball and baseball. Doug’s father was a banker and Doug, following in his father’s footsteps, joined the Bank of Montreal in 1947. His career took him to 20 posts throughout BC, the Yukon and California, where he developed many life-long friends. Doug met and married Kathy Gomerich in 1955 and had four daughters; Nancy McNeil (Brad), Carol Prest (Ian Bailey), Susan Prest (Kevin Chorney) and Tracy Malone (Dave). In 1968, Doug’s first wife, Kathy passed away. Doug returned his young family to Vancouver, where he raised them for the next ten years with the unyielding support and assistance from the girl’s grandmother, Katherine Gomerich. In 1969, Doug met Jo-Ann Hardy MacDonald (nee Jenner) and after an extended courtship, Doug and Jo-Ann married in December 1982. They were able to share 26 wonderful years together. Doug continued to work for the Bank ending his career in 1985 as a Senior Commercial Banking Manager. Following this short retirement, Doug began a new career as a broker for Scotia McLeod and then as a Retirement Services Officer for the Bank of Montreal until a conclusive retirement in 1997. He also served as a director of BC’s Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, the University of Victoria Foundation and the BC Automobile Association. Doug enjoyed life to the fullest. He especially enjoyed golf and developed close friendships with his regular foursomes. He and Jo-Ann travelled extensively but he especially loved to spend time with his grandchildren, Robert, Jacquie, Kayli, Cameron, Kathryn, Liam, Bryce, Jade, Katrina, Harrison, Christine and Cameron.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lorne Duncan, Gary Nazar, Emily Berry and Ian Dickson, The Oak Bay Fire Department, the paramedics, emergency room nurses and doctors, the CCU nurses, Nicky, Andrea andTerry and Dr. Eric Fretz, Dr. Miller and Dr. Ganz for their compassionate care of all of us. Loved and dearly missed by his family and friends.
A Service and Celebration of Doug’s life to be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 1:00 pm at St. John The Divine, 1611 Quadra Street. Reverend Harold Munn officiating. Flowers gratefully declined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug’s memory to the Uplands Heart Fund, c/o The Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, V8R 5K5.
A life well lived.
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