April 19, 1929 – October 7, 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Doug at age 96½.
Born in 1929 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, Doug grew up in that seaside resort with his eight older siblings by his side.
As a teenager, Doug was posted into the British Army for two years in the late forties, serving in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Egypt until 1949 when he returned to Blackpool.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Dorene, in April 1950. They had four wonderful children: Tina (Bryon), the late Steven, Lynn, and Lee (Joanne) followed by nine grandchildren: Tara (Steve), Travis (Dawne), Meagan, Jessie, David (Karra), Eli (Rachelle), Danielle (Geoffrey), Spencer, Sierra and five great-grandchildren: Dylan, Hannah, Paige, Cooper and Iyla.
The family emigrated to Canada in 1966, where Doug worked as a School Principal in Saskatchewan for two years. In 1968 they moved to Kenora, Ontario where Doug resumed teaching at Beaver Brae Secondary and established his “school within a school” pioneering the first Cooperative Education program in Kenora where he remained for 20 years.
Doug also was instrumental in crafting one of the first ESL night-school courses in Kenora, “English for New Canadians” creating a community of learners of English as a Second Language.
In 1988, Doug retired from the teaching of Special Education, and moved to Maple Ridge, B.C. to join his growing family there. Doug was a tenor in the Vancouver Orpheus Choir, the Chorfest Choir, and a long-time member of St George Anglican Church, and was also the Assistant Director of the Silvertones Seniors Choir in Maple Ridge for over 30 years. He, and his good friend Leslie, founded “The Robinaires” and, with Dorene’s management, performed countless concerts around the Lower Mainland of B.C. Doug was awarded the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster for his ongoing contributions to the Church.
His beautiful handwriting evolved into a signature style of artistic calligraphy, sought after for weddings, graduation ledgers, and hand-written signage long before digital typefaces became the norm.
Doug’s greatest joy, however, was spending time with his family. He loved to travel (especially Cruising) with the love of his life, Dorene, to whom he was married for 67 years.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held at St George Anglican Church, 23500 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Maple Ridge on November 3rd 2025, at 1:00 pm followed by a reception.
We wish to thank Patrick Pickering for his years of love, humour, and companionship with Doug, and extend our heartfelt appreciation to the staff of the Maple Ridge Seniors Village for their kindness, dedication, and compassionate support throughout Doug’s time in their care.
Online condolences may be left at:
DignityMemorial.com/obituaries/north-vancouver-bc/douglas-robinson-12551567