John "Doug" Douglas Myers

It is with great sadness that Doug’s family announces his sudden and unexpected death on December 2nd from a massive blood clot to the brain. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Crowley, children Stephen Myers (Lisa Lev), Anna Myers (Patrick Cullen) and Matthew Myers (Allison Merker); stepchildren, Amy Crowley (Trevor Wallworth) and Adam Crowley (Suka Lang); grandchildren Eva, Julian, Louise, Julia, Nathanial, Ceilidh, Keagan, Beckett, Hannah, Amelia and Louis; his sister, Kathy Krogh and by his former spouse, Carol Dinsmore Myers.

Born in Toronto, Doug nonetheless proudly felt that he was a Maritimer. He was genuinely interested in every person he met and perpetually curious about the world around him, though he had no knack for using technology. Doug always found the good in people, engaging as a mentor, a friend, a sounding board, a goofy sidekick or a shoulder to lean on. And boy, could he give good hugs. At heart, Doug was a political junkie and a lifelong social reformer. He cared about big issues, such as feminism, social justice and sustainability. These values were exemplified throughout his long and successful professional career in higher education at OISE at the University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, where he was Dean of Henson College, and as Director of the Nova Scotia Prior Learning Assessment Centre.

Doug was a man of great vitality. Anyone who met him quickly learned he was in a Samba band, Samba Nova. He loved the rhythms and the people. He was always trying to recruit new members, explaining that you don’t need to know much about music, just come! In his earlier life, his passion was sailing on his funky Drascombe Lugger, the Maggie MacD. Owning it fulfilled a lifelong dream and he took great pleasure in passing it on to the next generation. His retreat was his lakeside cottage in Lower East Chezzetcook. The neighbours called him Doug (or Cindy) the Lopper. With his enormous sheers in hand, he enthusiastically took on the task of trying to tame and style the forest undergrowth. This summer, taking advantage of the exercising and socializing allowed in the Covid restricted world, he played over 50 rounds of golf. He never shot his age, but that wasn’t his goal.

It was Doug’s family, however, that was at his core. He so deeply loved his three children and two step-children and the flock of grandchildren they provided. When three of the youngest generation ended up at Dalhousie University, Grandpa Doug was over the moon, echoing the elation he felt when Anna chose to attend Dal Law School in the 1990s. And then there was Mary. If you were ever in a room with Doug when Mary entered, you were captivated by how he lit up. Doug absolutely adored her. Theirs was a marriage to admire.

Although Doug had been living with Alzheimer’s for the last five years, his love of life continued to shine through. During that time he and his sister, “Kath”, edited a book of their father’s wartime letters home “The Professor and the Pilots”. He travelled to Spain, Florida, Washington DC, Myrtle Beach, Montreal, Toronto, St. Andrew’s, and, last Christmas, to Cuba. There, surrounded by Stephen, Matthew, their families, Mary and local Cuban friends, he was in his element. He loved the music, the people and the companionship.

Doug was a man the Thesaurus was designed to describe. He was loyal, kind, generous, charming, gallant, intelligent, trusting, creative, insightful, irreverent and oh, so very, very funny. His passing will leave a hole in the lives of all who knew and loved him. He was too full of laughter, energy and love to leave so suddenly.

The family wishes to convey its deep gratitude to the staff of the QE II for their support and compassion in accommodating their presence with Doug in his last hours. A gathering will be held to celebrate Doug’s life when pandemic conditions permit. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Doug’s name to the charity of your choice.

An online collection of photos, to which contributions are encouraged and welcomed, is located at https://douglasmyers.shutterfly.com/