MAY; Douglas Ernest Goss
August 15, 1924 - October 9, 2016
Doug was born in Victoria, BC on August 15, 1924 and passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones in Chilliwack General Hospital Sunday, October 9, 2016 after a brief illness. He was the only son of Arthur Douglas (Dick) May (Military Cross) and Gladys Mona (Happy) May (nee Goss). In 1942 he left Chilliwack Senior Secondary and enlisted with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was trained as a telegraphist in Vancouver and St. Hyacinthe, Quebec and then served on board HMCS Kincardine in the Corvette Fleet protecting Allied convoys in the submarine infested North Atlantic for the duration of World War II. Following the war he worked for a short time for the Cultus Lake Park board before going to Alberta where he worked as a commercial beekeeper. In 1949 Doug was employed by the Federal Public Service at the Unemployment Insurance office in Chilliwack until 1967 when he transferred to the Canadian Immigration Centre at Huntingdon BC Border Crossing where he remained until his retirement in 1980. He was predeceased by his loving wife Nancy (née Lodge, formerly Greenwood) in March 1996: sister Margaret Ann (May) Taylor, brother-in-law Reginald Taylor, sister Valerie (May) Whetter, brother-in-law Reginald Whetter. He is survived by stepson Roger Greenwood and family (daughters Kate, Jillian and Sally, wife Jillian Spencer and stepdaughters Jessica and Tanis), stepdaughter Helen Greenwood (Chris Pollard), nephew Douglas Taylor, great-nephew Damian Taylor and niece O’Byrne Taylor. Doug bought 20 acres in Ryder Lake in 1963 and after his retirement built a wonderful home for Nancy and himself. He could always be found working on his property, in the garden, cutting firewood, and generally living a wonderfully healthy lifestyle. In the last few years Doug moved into Sardis and spent his last months making new friends and thoroughly enjoying life in Lynnwood Home in Chilliwack.
He was a 35 year member of the Cultus Lake Volunteer Fire Department, was elected to the Cultus Lake Park Board in the 1960s, was an active member of the Chilliwack Little Theater Group, a founding member of the Cultus Lake Memorial Church, volunteered at numerous organizations including the Federal Superannuate Association, Chilliwack Red Cross, Blue Heron Reserve, he was also a member of Branch 4 of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 70 years and an active member of the Camp River New Horizons Club Carpet Bowlers. Doug lived a very full 92 years and was a true “gentleman” throughout his life. He was fondly known by many who met him as Mr. Chilliwack and his ready wit, gentle spirit and willingness to help everyone who crossed his path will be sadly missed. A Funeral Service will be held at 2pm on November 9, 2016 at Cultus Lake Memorial Church, 74 Fir Street, Chilliwack.