Douglas James Parkinson

Douglas James Parkinson passed away January 19, 2024 at the age of 91. Douglas’ parents, Maude (née Scott) and Frederick Parkinson were born in England but met in Toronto where Doug was born on August 15, 1932. He was an absolutely devoted husband to his wife of 64 years Marlene (née Coulter) Parkinson. In eight weeks, they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They met when he was just eleven years-old and Marlene was six. They were a very rare type of couple who never ran out of conversation and made each other laugh every day.

Doug, or as Marlene called him Dougy, had three children – Tracy (Stevenson), Nancy (Fowler) and Doug (Parkinson Jr.). He had 6 grandchildren – Connor Parkinson, Emerson Parkinson, Nolan Parkinson, Paige Stevenson, Sean Stevenson and James Fowler. Doug was predeceased by siblings Jack Donnelly, Bob Donnelly, Raymond Donnelly and Joan (née Parkinson) Cotter.

Before his retirement, Doug worked as a Sheet Metal Worker and was a very proud member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 30. Doug loved his retirement years travelling often to Florida, California, the Caribbean and England. He went to New York City often to enjoy jazz shows amongst other adventures. Doug loved jazz music – in particular Stan Kenton, Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis. He was a talented bongo player and when the bongos weren’t around he would tap on anything with his fingers until Marlene had had enough!

He loved to ride his bike around the streets of Aurora, where he lived for 55 years, and was a skilled skater. Later in his eighties, he loved to spend summers in a rustic cabin on Lake Rosseau where his daily highlight was sitting on the dock with Marlene sipping a coffee with a splash of Bailey’s and ‘a bun’ as he called his donut or muffin. He loved watching old Western TV shows such as Hop Along Cassidy and The Lone Ranger.

Doug’s friends will tell you that he was a gentleman and extremely loyal. He was shy but had a wicked sense of humour. He will be forever missed and eternally loved by all who knew him.

The Parkinson family will be grieving privately. However, they will host a memorial (party!) with family and friends to celebrate Doug's life this Spring. Details will follow in the coming months. In the interim, thank you for leaving any messages, memories or photos of Doug here on this website.

Memorial contributions in honour of Doug may be made to LOFT Community Services (loftcs.org/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com