Captain Douglas Ian Newman

Douglas Ian Newman was born July 19, 1936, in Blaine, Washington. He was the son of Bernice McNally and Herbert Newman and one of four brothers which included Herb, Bob, and John. Doug passed away suddenly on March 5th at the age 87 surrounded by his family.

Doug, or Captain Doug, as everyone called him, loved everything to do with the water. At age 16 he started his lifetime on the water by working on the tugboats. In 1977, he became one of the first Captains of the newly formed SeaBus. He loved working for SeaBus and made many lifelong friends including his best friends Brian and Ron. At age 65 he retired from SeaBus, but after 6 months of retirement, he had decided it was enough, so he went back to work. Anyone who knew him would agree that the retirement life was not for Captain Doug. He then began a second career with Harbour Cruises. He worked at Harbour Cruises as a Senior Master and scheduler. He then became the Operations Manager at Western Pacific Marine for the Barnston ferry. Harbour Cruises, and later Western Pacific Marine, became his passion until the day he passed.

Doug was loved by everyone who met him. He always had a smile on his face while asking what he can do to help someone. His home was always open to anyone who needed help. He was commonly known as Dad#2 to many of his daughter’s friends. He always had a smile on his face that brightened everyone’s day. He was the most caring, kind, and generous person. He helped anyone who needed anything. He put everyone else before himself and was the most selfless person there was.

Captain Doug is survived by his lifelong companion Janet, daughter April, son-in-law Frederick, grandchildren Kaitlynn and Noah, sister-in-law Dianne, brother Bob and niece Melanie. He will be greatly missed by his four-legged best friend Daisy.

We are not saying goodbye to Doug. But instead, we are saying we love you forever and you will always hold a special place in our hearts.