Doug (Houle) Taylor

To Doug Taylor, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Doug , bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Doug really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      Doug was born on March 30, 1941 at Plummer Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. His parents were Douglas and Ruth Taylor. Doug was raised in Sault Ste. Marie. Even as a child, Doug had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn't help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

      Always a good playmate, Doug was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Doug managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Doug was raised with five siblings Kenny, Louise, Nancy, Roseann, Donna.

      All of Doug's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Doug experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in hockey, baseball. In his spare time he liked working on cars and fishing.

      Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Doug was a class “cut-up.” He didn't’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Doug simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Doug, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Doug's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was auto mechanic.

      Doug never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Doug to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Doug delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Doug was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Doug utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were Kenny Marshall, Phill Deevey, Johnny Napierkoski and Wayne Hewett. Later in life, he became friends with Randy & Sherry Bacon, Larry & Nancy Margis, Sam & Pat Currie, Walter and Rena Olenick, Bud and Elsie Rivard. Doug loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Doug very easy to approach. On Sept 29, 1962 Doug exchanged wedding vows with Patricia Billey Denys at Christ Church of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Doug was a loving, caring and considerate husband and his love for his children Jamie and Twig was immeasurable. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

      Perhaps the reason Doug related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Doug was blessed with Two, One Son Jamie and One Daughter Cheri-Ann (Twig). They were also blessed with Two Beautiful Grandkids, Draydon and Kye. Doug had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Doug's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Doug had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

      At work, as in life, Doug was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Doug liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Doug was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Doug's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Doug as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was foreman of transportation department. He was employed for 35 years at Algoma Steel.

      Doug enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Doug liked creating and making things. His favorite pursuits were wood working, gardening, fishing and golfing. Doug was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Doug felt excited and challenged by sports. Doug loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Doug relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Doug never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Recreational sports included hockey, baseball, golf and petanque. Doug was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were watching his Grandkids and his Daughter play hockey as well as watching the Blue Jay baseball, golfing, figure skating and gymnastics.

      Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Doug recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member St Mary's Ukrainian Church. During that time, he was the resident apple pie maker.

      Living life in the fast lane suited Doug just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Nova Scotia and Winter Garden Florida.

      Doug was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Doug's favorites was Water Spaniel - Fancy Ancy Rachel Taylor. They were best friends for 13 years. His family was rounded out by his hobby farm which included his horses, cows, chickens, pigs, goats,ducks and turkeys.

      Doug believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1998, Doug took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Doug remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, he found new pleasure in Winter Garden Florida with his wife as a snow bird. Even in retirement, Doug continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

      Doug (Houle) passed away on April 7, 2017 at Sault Area Hospital. Industrial Accident. He is survived by is wife Pat and his children Jamie and Cheri (Twig). Services were held at Arthurs Funeral Home. Doug was laid to rest in an urns at his family's home.

      Doug brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Doug (Houle) Taylor lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

Daddy

I know your are not with us physically, but in spirit and in our hearts.

I'm going to miss the rattle of the candy bag and the shuffle of your feet throughout the night.

I can guarantee your busting you're nuts right now making a petanque court with Sammy and Wild Bill, that's the man you are.

The boys at work are going to miss their shop and golfing buddy aka Mutant.

I thought about all the nick names you have given me over the years and sitting here thinking about that, you had a few as well.

Houle, Marty, Mutant, LI, Doogle Ass, Long Pockets, Grandmeow Poppa, Teenager, Candy Man, and last but not least Poppa.

Love you Daddy

xoxoxoxox

TAYLOR, Douglas Winston (Houle) – It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Doug on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the age of 76. Beloved husband and best friend of Pat for 55 years. Loved and dedicated father of Jamie (Susan) and Twig. Proud Grandfather of Draydon and Kye. Dear brother of Kenny (Gloria). Brother-in-law of Peter Denys. Dodie Masse (Gerry), Dean Denys, and Sharon Denys and the late Jennie Miller. Fondly remembered by nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to visit at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 1:30 until 3:30 pm. Memorial service to follow in the chapel at 4 pm. Rev. Jaroslaw Lazoryk officiating. Memorial contributions to ARCH or St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church would be appreciated by the family.

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TAYLOR, Douglas Winston (Houle) – It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Doug on Friday, April 7, 2017 at the age of 76. Beloved husband and best friend of Pat for 55 years. Loved and dedicated father of Jamie (Susan) and Twig. Proud Grandfather of Draydon and Kye. Dear brother of Kenny (Gloria). Brother-in-law of Peter Denys. Dodie Masse (Gerry), Dean Denys, and Sharon Denys and the late Jennie Miller. Fondly remembered by nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to visit at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, April 13, 2017 from 1:30 until 3:30 pm. Memorial service to follow in the chapel at 4 pm. Rev. Jaroslaw Lazoryk officiating. Memorial contributions to ARCH or St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church would be appreciated by the family.