9231 DOUGLAS, Lt.Cdr. (Retd) David Richard ‘Rick’
Rick was born on April 8, 1949 in Peterborough, Ont., where he completed his elementary and high school education. He was then accepted into the Royal Military College, in Kingston, Ont. where he graduated with a BA (History) in 1972. During the annual Athletic Awards Dinner held that year at R.M.C. Rick received the rare honour of being presented with both the Tommy Smart Cup, awarded to the best all-round athlete and the Prince of Wales Cup awarded to the best all-round Cadet. It was the second time in the past 20 years in which a R.M.C. Cadet had taken both trophies.
Prior to commencing his military career, Rick competed in the 1972 Canadian National Swimming Championships, which were the trials for the Canadian Olympic Swimming Team and the National Water- polo Team.
From 1972 until 1980, Rick served as a Maritime Surface Operations Officer at sea in the Canadian Navy, with his final posting at sea as Operations Officer of HMCS Assiniboine. In 1980, Rick was the first Naval Officer assigned to the Canadian Forces group of Intelligence Officers. This was fascinating work, which took him and Carolyn across Canada, as well as three year postings in Washington, D.C., and London, UK.
Upon retirement in 1999, Rick and Carolyn moved to Amherst, and built their retirement home. During the years Rick lived in Amherst, he was Treasurer and then President of the Amherst Curling Club. He served on the Boards of the Amherst Golf Club, and the National Association of Federal Retirees Cumberland Branch FSNA NS No. 78. Most important to him was his time on the Board of the Cumberland Health Authority (CHA). This led to his selection as the CHA representative on the Board of the Health Authority Nova Scotia (HANS). Rick saw these volunteer activities as his contribution to the community that was now his home. Rick was also a member of the Clan Douglas Society of North America and the Royal Military Club of Canada.
In summer Rick enjoyed his weekly golf game with friends, and often helped at various tournaments, including the annual fundraiser for our hospital foundation. In winter you could find him at the curling rink. Rick enjoyed reading, gardening, and doing research on his family tree. He especially cherished his workshop at the shore, and spent many hours working on various projects. He enjoyed helping others, and meeting new people. Rick will be missed by the organizations where he contributed his talents and by the many friends he made here and in his travels.
Rick is survived by Carolyn (Kelly), his wife of 35 years; his parents, Marjorie and Donald Douglas, now residents of Amherst; brother, Stephen (Mi-Sook), Toronto, Ont.; brothers-in-law, Robert (Janet) Arseneau and Harold Arseneau, Springhill and sisters-in-law, Loretta (Griff) Griffith, Kingston, Ont.; and Margaret (George) Beaton, Debert; as well as his loving aunts, Dorothy Hubbs, Aurora, Ont.; Betty Cyr, Montreal, Que. and Anne (Harold) Taylor, Burlington, Ont.; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Rick was predeceased by his sister, Barbara Ann. Funeral service were held on Wednesday, September 14 in Trinity-St. Stephens United Church.
His ashes are to be scattered in the Northumberland Strait, near his cottage at a later date.
Donations in Rick’s memory may be made to the Cumberland Health Care Foundation or Cumberland County Hospice/Palliative Care Society. On-line condolences may be forwarded to the family via:
http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/tributes.cfm?o_id=1257596&fh_id=12761