KERR, Douglas Sparling -
December 18, 1926 - February 27, 2023
Douglas passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of February 27, 2023.
He is survived by his children Heather (Steve), Kathleen (Stuart), and Philip (Sean): grandchildren Adrienne (Yussef), Ryan (Virginia), Wendy (Mark), Alyson (Steve).
Adored Papa of Max, Benjamin, Lola, Aveline, Jack, Nathan, Isabella and Sullivan.
Predeceased by parents Franklin Herman Kerr, Hazel Louisa Kerr (nee Sparling) and siblings Russell Kerr (Iris), Doreen Jeanpretre (Norbert), Elaine Parker. Survived by his younger brother Bruce Kerr (Hazel), and his brother in law and cribbage buddy Douglas Parker.
Douglas was born in rural Quebec in 1926. From an early age he knew he did not want to be a farmer like his dad, so in 1947 he made his way to Oshawa. Not long after that he met the love of his life, Sheila, a Scottish lass who immigrated to Canada around the same time.
They married in April of 1950 and struggled financially in the beginning, like many postwar young couples, while learning to be a carpenter, work for which he had a passion. He only had one employer, other than early work in a Quebec Sugar Bush and picking tobacco near St. Thomas, Ontario.
In 1947, he began work as a carpenter for Gay Construction Limited in Oshawa. Before long, he rose in the ranks at this company, and was eventually asked to be a partner. With Douglas as Vice President and General Manager, the company grew and for many years was ranked as one of the top 100 construction companies in Canada. In his early career it seemed that his work was all-consuming, but as time went on, one realized that he was doing it all for his family; his wife Sheila, his children, and eventually his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was a devoted family man, and during the holidays nothing was more important to him than having family around the dining table. He and Sheila had a wonderful life together, travelling the world with friends, or on their own, but home was still the most important thing to them.
When Sheila passed away at home in 2015, it was thought that Douglas would not be able to carry on, but he continued to take great joy in his family.
He passed away in the early morning of February 27, 2023, in the house that he built and shared with his beloved Scottish bride, Sheila, for 65 years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Alzheimer's Society of Canada, Diabetes Canada, or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be made at oshawafuneralhome.com .
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