With sadness, we announce the death of Melvin Douglas (Doug) Comfort, aka “Marvelous Melvin”, in Edmonton, Alberta after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, during which he refused to let the disease affect his spirit and unique approach to life.
Doug was born in Red Deer, Alberta, the eldest of three sons, to Dorothea and Ben Comfort. The family lived in Drumheller, Calgary, and later Edmonton. In high school, he met Darlene, the love of his life, and they married in 1958. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Alberta, as well as completed a machinist apprenticeship at Canadian National Railway. Doug worked for Canadian Bechtel, helping to design the first oil sands plant, and later joined Great Canadian Oil Sands as a project engineer, moving to Fort McMurray in 1967 with Darlene and their children, Laura, Derrick and Tiffany. Doug also worked for Syncrude, as a maintenance manager, and lastly started CBS Construction, until retiring to Vancouver Island in 1990.
On the Island, Doug bought his pride and joy, a double eagle boat, and with lessons from a neighbor, became an avid boater and fisherman. He and Darlene ventured up and down the east coast of the Island, risking life and limb, fulfilling Doug’s dreams of adventures on the high seas.
Doug’s life was shaped by his beloved Nana, Nellie Cundy, and his mother, Dot, who instilled in him an abiding faith in a greater existence. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Darlene, children Laura, Derrick and Tiffany, grandchildren Bryan, Michael, Isabelle, Matthew, Scott, Alyssa and Olivia, and brother, David.
A funeral service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, January 27, 2020, at Hainstock’s Funeral Home, 9810-34 Ave, Edmonton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta.
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