Douglas Gordon Dankert

Doug started out 60 years ago as a son, brother, nephew, cousin, brother-in-law, uncle, husband to Joannie, police officer and father to Shannon and a great uncle.

We grew up spending our summer holidays at Ahmic Lake and Buckhorn lake with our cousins, Ross, Bruce, Steve and Ralph (you weren't there yet Sandy). In the summer of 1959 I squished Doug's thumb between the dock and the rowboat. Doug was 7. I never heard the end of it. It wasn't a great summer, as we also lost our father.

Two years later, our mum met Ross and married him. He adopted us and became our father. Summer holidays changed to Sauble Beach and a new set of cousins - Marg, Melissa, John, Deb, Wayne and Patty.

At 15, Doug and cousin Wayne went to a car lot in Etobicoke one Sunday and they joy rided all around the lot, fled in a hurry with the police chasing them, but Doug lost his shoe while climbing the fence. The police came to our house before Doug and Wayne arrived home and brought the shoe with his full name in it. Dad and Mum were not impressed when he tried to lie his way out of it ( I thought it was great ). That same summer at Sauble, Doug and his friend saved a woman from drowning. The seed was sown, good vs. bad.

Doug wanted to be a police officer..and that is what he did for 30 years with the Waterloo Regional Police. He loved his job, his co-workers, his annual fishing trips, winter getaways, his pool and the family reunions. A thoracic aneurysm struck him in 2003 and he almost died. It took a toll on his body and he never quite recovered. Therefore, he took an early retirement. He started heading south to Naples, Florida for 6 months - kayaking, fishing at the Isle of Capri, Sneaky Pete's, buffalo wings and McCabe's Irish Pub. Shopping at Bealls for his orange shirts. He bought a trailer at the Bell Haven RV Park in Bobcaygeon and started spending his summers there - poker every Friday, fires every night, kayaking, fishing and enjoying the company of those he met there.

He spent time with our cousins Steve and Judy at Bell Haven and in Naples. Jim and I joined him in Florida last year for 2 months. Dinner once a week and kayaking. Then we surprised him last summer for 5 nights at Bell Haven. We met his friends and cousin Marg joined us for a day.

In mid-September, we got together for lunch and then he met Shannon for dinner. He was late for both, like always. After Thanksgiving, he headed down to Naples and the last time I talked to him he was bragging about the sunny skies and hot weather.

Poem of Life

Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what's to be

A resting place along the road to sweet eternity

We all have different journeys, different paths along the way

We all were meant to learn some things but never meant to stay.

Our destination is a place far greater than we know

For some the journey's quicker, for some the journey's slow.

And when the journey finally ends we'll claim a great reward

And find an everlasting peace together with the Lord.

What a simple thing death is, just as simple as the falling of an autumn leaf. Today we have enjoyed remembering almost as much as we have enjoyed living. Some people dream of a deep inner peace, where our minds will be quiet and all worries will cease. Whatever life brings us we'll invite and allow. We will go with the flow,

Just enjoying right now.

Thank-you, Doug. you will always be in our hearts and in our memories...Peace.

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DANKERT, Douglas Gordon – It is with great sadness that Doug’s family announces his sudden passing at his winter home in Naples, Florida on November 1, 2012 at the age of 60. Proud and loving father of Shannon Dankert. Cherished partner and friend of 34 years to Joan Dankert. Doug is forever remembered by his sister, Karen Holbrough (Jim) and sister-in-law Jane Koebel. Dear uncle of Cory Holbrough (Keira), Jody Holbrough (Yvette), Laurie Voisin (Sean) and Barbara Taylor (Bryan). Doug is predeceased by his parents, Donald Sherk, and Janet (nee Kribs) and Ross Dankert.

Doug’s passion in life was law enforcement. He proudly served his community as an officer with the Waterloo Regional Police. He began his career in 1975 as a Constable, becoming a Detective, then a Sergeant, until his retirement after 30 years of dedicated service. His contribution will not be forgotten. Following his retirement, Doug spent his summers with friends at Bell Haven Trailer Park on Pigeon Lake, ON and his winters kayaking in Naples, Florida and he will be missed and remembered by his friends.

Doug’s family will receive friends at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10am until 12 noon, when a service in celebration of Doug’s life will be held in the funeral home chapel. A reception will follow at the Ratz-Bechtel Family Centre. Interment, following the reception, at St. Peter’s Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the KW Humane Society.