Douglas John Crerar, resident of Grande Prairie, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the QEII Hospital, at the age of 88 years.

Doug was born on August 28, 1929, in Grande Prairie AB, on the old Crerar homestead, near the river bank where the Southview IGA is today. He was the youngest of John and Ethel’s 9 children. He attended Montrose School until grade 10, when he left and helped his mother run the farm and lovingly assisted in the care of Gloria, his beloved niece. He spent many hours helping his oldest sister, Dorothy, and her husband, Jack, on their farm in Grovedale, and always had stories to share.

His first paid job was working for the Dalen Brick Yard, who were neighbors and friends. He worked in farming, building, forestry and finally road construction. He worked most of his adult career as a cat-skinner with Hackwell Construction and later on, Bernie Brown Construction.

He had a love for the outdoors, large and small. He would plant delicate sweet-pea flowers and hardy vegetables in his gardens, and go hunting, camping and berry picking in the untamed wilderness surrounding the Grande Prairie area. He was a gentle man, whose words were few, but who laughed with abandon.

There was hardly a time you would see him without his customary chapeau and a Werther’s candy or macaroon. He was a DIY-er before it was a thing, and he was often heard telling the kids to “Go play in traffic”. He believed in showing his support of his wife’s involvement in the community, and often volunteered for one thing or another at the Red Cross, Friendship Centre, Métis Local or Elders Caring Shelter.

His pride in Angie’s accomplishments showed in every way. It has also been said that he is the highest unpaid Taxi-Driver, chauffeuring kids to various practices, games, work, cadets or the Saturday afternoon matinees.

He enjoyed music and dancing, and get-togethers with friends and family, especially picnics. One would often see him working over the DHT Crossword puzzle or Sudoku. He loved to play card games, bingo and vlt’s.

He will be sadly missed by his wife and partner of 50 years Angie Crerar; children: Bonita LaFleur-Nowell (Howard), Ken LaFleur (Cheryl Belcourt), Judy Salter (David Gulick), Patsy Charles (Daryll), Roni Bourque (Lance), Shayne LaFleur (Cherry), Janis LaFleur-Miller (Bob), Audrey Cockrill (Gregg), Lorna Crerar (Kevin Barber) Brenda Crerar-Lowen (Rod), and Elton Knudsen (Amber); grandchildren: Angela Nowell (Riley Coombs), Douglas LaFleur, Joseph LaFleur, Sherry LaFleur (Ken Chapman), Jenny Kenny (Dave), Jordan Charles (Amber McKeil), Jayson Charles, Travis Reimer (Jordan McMinn), Courtney Reimer (Victoria Dondo), Kevin LaFleur, Denis LaFleur, Mikelah Miller, Kaylee Miller, Katherine Cockrill, Andrew Cockrill, Madeline Cockrill (Ross Green), Terra Crerar, Tiffany Obstfeld (Daniel), Whitney Barber, MacKenzie Lowen, Jonathan Lowen (Nadya Debogorski), and Bryne Lowen; great-grandchildren: Elijah Burgess, Alex Burgess, Amelia Kenny, Jaksyn Kenny, Kylie Johnston, Nova Hoag, and Ava Hoag; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents John (Jack) and Ethel Crerar; siblings: Dorothy Penson, Percy Crerar, Merle Vince, Harold Crerar, Beth Gullickson, Roy Crerar, Edna Talboom, and Robert Crerar; and grandson Krystopher Tosczak.

All are welcome to Doug’s Celebration of Life, on Thursday, December 14, 2017, at 2:00pm, at the Jackpot Grill in Grande Prairie (10904 92 Ave.).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Home Care (10121 97 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 0N5).