Doug’s Eulogy – February 16, 2013 I think I know most of the people here but just in case you are wondering who the heck I am, my name is Sherri Schira-Ladosz and I am a niece to Doug Goodwin. I would like to thank you all for coming today to celebrate the life of my Uncle Doug and I am truly honoured to be asked by his family to speak to you today. It is important to note that this eulogy was mainly the work of my cousin Todd, and I want Todd to know that I am also honoured that he trusted me to say these words on his behalf. Todd describes my Uncle Doug as a caring father, wonderful grandfather and a beautiful human being. We could all only hope that these are the words that would come to mind when one of our children are asked to describe us. Uncle Doug’s story begins on March 23rd, 1943, when he was born at Norfolk General Hospital. What is really amazing is the fact that his father, Wray, never saw this first born child of his until Doug was 3 years old because he was enlisted in the Canadian army, and unable to return home from Europe until 1946. The “Goodwins” didn’t have much by way of money and they worked hard to get by. Doug had the run of the house until his younger brother, Bob, was born in 1949. Doug always said he paved the way for Bob, because Bob could get away with everything that Uncle Doug was never allowed to do when he was that age! However Doug did have the odd opportunity for pay back, like the first time he took Bob’s 1949 Harley Davidson out for a drive in the back yard. He ran it into the neighbour’s fence and bent the handle bars. By the time Bob returned home Doug already had the Harley into the welding shop, fixed and back to the house. Growing up, Doug developed an affinity for music, and started to play the drums. He did a lot of traveling with the various bands he played with. He used to especially reminisce about one time in Grand Bend when the police imposed a curfew on everyone out of fear of a riot. The band was locked in the hall they were playing in with nothing to eat for the entire night, and Doug and the boys had to sleep on the floor. One of Doug’s fondest memories originate from the days he played in the Port Dover Summer Gardens in the late 1950’s. You see, the band Doug played in (The Deltones) were the house band, and it was a big deal because they opened up every Friday and Saturday night for some fellows that were about to become legends in Rock and Roll History. Those fellows were Ronnie Hawkins, Robbie Robertson, Ricky Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel, later known as “The Band”. Doug lived for this music, and played it throughout his life to anyone who would listen. It must have been a great feeling for him to play for a dance floor that was packed with local fans. Later on in life, Doug retired his music career in a band called, “Rajah”, where he developed lifelong friendships with his fellow members, Wray, Dan and Dude. As well known as Uncle Doug was for his music, he was probably even more well-known through his 50 year career as a Barber. He started with a small barber shop on Alice Street in Waterford. Doug eventually moved his business to Simcoe, bought a shop and called it The “Down Town Barbershop.” He was a very caring person and would not hesitate to make a special trip to the hospital or to someone’s house if they were ill and needed a haircut. He was a great listener and had an ability to empathize with people which made most of his customers appreciate him for more than just a great hair cut! To know my Uncle Doug was to know that the most important thing to him in life, hands down, was his family. In 1962, Doug spotted a young Colleen Hare at the Ken-Mar Hotel in Turkey Point and eventually got enough courage to ask her to dance. The two of them were married on May 6th, 1967. To have seen the two of them together after all these years, one could comfortable say that the two of them go together like rum & coke! They adopted their first child, Todd, in 1969 and their second child, Tanya, in 1973. Doug was everything a son or daughter could ask for and he devoted his time to ensuring his children had all they needed in life. He coached both hockey and baseball, and watched hours and hours of dance and figure skating. On a lighter note, Doug always said the reason he wanted kids was so they could get up to change the channels on the TV for him, later he joked that things might have been different if only he’d known that remote controls would eventually be invented! Doug’s extended family was also very important to him, and there is such a rich history of deep seeded relationships with his brother-in laws, sister -in-laws, nieces and nephews. They all played such an important part in his life, and he loved each of them dearly. The biggest apples in Doug’s eyes were his grandchildren: Ashton, Noah, Carter, Nathan, Mckenzie and Megan. He loved spending time with all of them, and found great comfort in having them near him, especially during the past few years. My Uncle Doug had many interests and he tended to learn a lot and get really involved in the things that interested him. Just like he excelled at music, he also became a great photographer which included developing his own photos – a process which he showed many of us. There are many family photos that we have today because Uncle Doug happened to be present at special events with his camera in hand. Like his father, he loved to take photos of historic buildings and significant locations in Waterford, and he has left behind a beautiful collection of black and white historic photos that are difficult to find elsewhere. Over the years and especially when I was younger I spent a lot of time at Aunt Colleen and Uncle Doug’s. In all those years, I only have memories of a kind and patient Uncle who never really got angry. One could think that perhaps I was just a really good kid but most of us know differently. Uncle Doug was just that kind of man. I do remember many late nights watching the Johnny Carson show. I didn’t really love the show and many of the jokes went over my head at the time but I knew that if I pretended that I loved Johnny Carson as much as my Uncle Doug did then he would insist that I get to stay up late to watch it with him, so that I did! I believe that my Uncle Doug had a rich & full life. There’s no denying that the last few years have been difficult for him. He was a trooper through it all which was made possible only through the love and unbelievable support and care that was so willingly given to him by my Aunt Colleen. On top of that he had the constant love and support of his children and grandchildren, his extended family and his friends – all of which he valued from the bottom of his heart! It was surely a gift that Uncle Doug was able to spend the last several months in Carma & Scott’s beautiful home with the lake and the boats to calm his spirits. As if the view was not enough, Colleen and Doug both had the security, assistance & love given so willingly by both Carma & Scott. I know I speak on behalf of the entire family when I tell you that you both rock, and we appreciate you more than words can say! Uncle Doug was a gentle, compassionate man that was held in high regard by anyone that took the time to get to know him. We will all miss him and although we regret that we were unable to share a decade or two more with him, we will always be grateful that he was part of our life. He has left us an abundance of laughter and good memories. Todd chose these words to close off our eulogy to his father- taken from the song, “The Weight”, by The Band: “I pulled into Nazereth, was feeling about half past dead, I just need some place where I can lay my head”. Uncle Doug, you have pulled into Heaven’s hotel in Nazereth, the home of, Our Saviour Jesus Christ, where your new life will begin. We love you!