December 3, 1940 - March 21, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend. Doug left this world peacefully on March 21, 2019, in Nelson, BC after a courageous battle with cancer.
Doug was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan and moved to Nelson in 1949. In 1958, Doug started an apprenticeship at the Nelson Daily News. Doug married the love of his life Shirley Sommerville in 1963, and in 1964 received his journeyman pressman certification and moved to Seattle, Washington to take a job at the Seattle Times.
Doug and Shirley moved back to Nelson in 1970 with three children in tow. Upon returning to Nelson, Doug drove semi trucks for both Kelly Douglas and Malkins before starting work in 1977 with the Ministry of Highways, where he remained until retiring in 1997. In his retirement, Doug enjoyed the freedom of spending time with family and friends. He spent most mornings dialing in his investments and exchanging emails with his pals, and could often be found keeping up with his sports on tv, and having a couple "socials" at "the club".
Doug was a man of integrity who led by example. He was honest, thoughtful, dependable, and had a great sense of humour. He worked hard and played hard, and was a mentor, advisor, and treasured friend to many. Doug and Shirley's love and respect for each other was beautiful and inspirational. They spent 60 years together and truly cherished each other to the very end. Doug lived a full and meaningful life with no regrets, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Doug is survived by his best friend and loving wife Shirley, his three children; Gerry (Shelly) Tennant, Jim (Karyn) Tennant, Anita (Pete) Johnson, and seven grandchildren; Ryan, Megan, Tyson, Macy, Brendan, Courtney, Mikaela. Also surviving him are his brother Bob (Donna) Tennant, sisters Donna (Ray) Charest, Judy (Brian) Austin, Kathy (Roger) Derasp, brothers- in-law Harry (Janet) Sommerville, George Heer, sisters-in-law Erma (Les) Sommerville, Pat (Bryan) Sommerville, Sandy (Greg) Munch, and many nieces and nephews.
Doug was predeceased by his father and mother Thomas and Betty Tennant, sister Jean Beasley, nieces Sharalee Schneider and Rhonda Frederiksen, brother John and sister-in-law Doreen, mother-in-law and father-in-law James and Lillian Sommerville, sister-in-law Kathleen Heer, and nephew Darren Heer.
The family would like to thank Dr. Lee MacKay for his compassionate and respectful care of "Dougie".
A memorial service for Doug will take place on April 6, 2019, at 1 pm at the Bethel Christian Centre, 623 Gordon Rd., Nelson BC.