It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Douglas Stuart Drake on March 24, 2021 at the age of 76.
Doug was born in St. Catharines, Ontario on November 15, 1944 to Thomas and Shirley Drake. From early childhood he enjoyed many years at the family cottage on Lake Temagami with his parents and siblings.
While attending Ryerson University he met the love of his life, Diane. They married in 1969 and moved to Calgary. In 1977 they moved to Thunder Bay to raise their children near Diane’s family.
Doug started Drake Graphics which later merged with Lakehead Printing and then Consolidated Press. Doug and Diane enjoyed many years of friendship and fun times with the Norwest Gyro Club. Doug was very active with the Fort William Rotary Club for many years, as well as Magnus Theatre and Thunder Bay Art Gallery. He also coached junior squash at the Canada Games Complex which was a great joy for him.
There were many more years of family fun in Temagami with Diane, Robin and Ryan. Doug was always busy cutting down trees, teaching nieces and nephews to waterski or just enjoying a Molson beer on the dock.
Life changed abruptly for Doug and our family in 1993 when he suffered a brain aneurysm. In the coming years there were many challenges, but Doug always kept his sense of humour. Many thanks to the friends in Gyro who took Doug to meetings.
He was the best husband and father that a family could have and we cherish the memories that we have of him. Doug is survived by his wife Diane, his children Ryan Drake (Karen), and Robin Roddy, grandchildren Liam and Keith Roddy, his brothers Peter (Cathy) Drake, Steve (Phyllis) Drake, sister Danae Hawkins (Bill Meldrum), sister-in-law Vicki MacKay, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Shirley Drake, mother and father-in-law Jean and Frank Wilson and brother-in-law Park MacKay.
We wish to express our deepest gratitude to all the staff that helped Doug at Roseview Manor for the almost 8 years that he lived there. They always treated him with love and kindness and enjoyed his sarcastic humour. Their support and care for Doug has meant a great deal to us and we always knew he was well cared for.
A private graveside service will be held and a celebration of life will be held when life goes back to normal. Donations to Brain Injury Services of Northern Ontario or Wesway. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
