Doug Hindmarsh passed away at St. Michael’s Hospice in Burnaby, British Columbia in the early hours of the morning on January 14, 2021, aged 88. He died peacefully in his sleep after seven months in hospice care and a long struggle with late-stage cancer and Parkinson’s. His loving wife and children were by his side throughout. He entered into life eternal and the joy of heaven attended by kindness, love and prayer. His suffering, endured with grace and patience, is over. His battered ship has reached safe harbour at last. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25: 21).
A small graveside service for immediate family will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Burnaby on Wednesday, January 20th at 1:30pm.
Born on the farm at Coronach, Saskatchewan, Doug went to Briercrest Bible Institute, where he developed a lifelong dedication to Christian ministry. He married Doreen in 1958 and their affectionate marriage of sixty-two years was a testimony of love and faithfulness. He spent his working life in Winnipeg and Calgary as a Christian businessman giving leadership in the transportation industry in Canada, while teaching Sunday School and serving on the boards of numerous Christian organizations. He worked faithfully for forty-one years as an executive at Reimer Express Lines. In personnel management, difficult labour negotiations, safety concerns, or contracts—he was known above all for his integrity. Something of his stature in the industry was recognized when he received the National Transportation Person of the Year Award in 1982 from the federal Minister of Transport. After some years retired in Calgary, he lived with Doreen at Shannon Oaks Retirement Community in Vancouver, where they made many good friends.
As a teenager he bought his first saxophone and camera. Indeed, at the hospice, his saxophone was brought to him to play one last time, a memory of the years at Briercrest and after when he played gospel hymns on the radio and for church services. A skilled photographer, taking pictures was a lifelong hobby and in his retirement he and Doreen curated dozens of beautiful albums with memories of family and vacations. It was to his family that he was dedicated most of all and to them he gave of himself unsparingly. He taught us how to live, and now in the end he taught us how to die. His tender-hearted love for Christ was evident to all, and often in later years he could be heard praying simply, “I love you, Jesus.”
His loss will be felt keenly and his memory cherished by his beloved wife Doreen and his adult children: Brenda with her husband Gord and their children Amy, Brad, and Katie (Dane); and Bruce with his wife Carolyn and their children Bethany (Warren), Matt, and Sam (Bailey). He also leaves behind two great-grandchildren, through Katie and Dane: Leo and Eleanor. He is predeceased by siblings Elmer, Art, and Loretta. He is survived by his brother Cec (Ruth) and sister Doreen, his brother-in-law Wes and sister-in-law Mary.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Michael’s Hospice for their extraordinary care, offered with compassion and skill in equal measure.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the honour of Doug to either:
Josiah Venture or Regent College. Please scroll down below to access the links.
You can also donate to a charity of your choice. Please indicate in the comment box provided that your gift is made “in honour of Doug Hindmarsh.”
A slideshow with memories of his life may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAu-j84bjhE
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