December 29, 1944 - November 3, 2019
On Sunday, November 3rd, we said goodbye to a strong, generous, and loving man. After a short battle with pancreatic cancer, Doug Henderson moved on to his next adventure.
He will be missed by many: his wife Eveline, daughters Sharlene (Michael) and Adrienne (Andy), grandchildren Mica, Luca, Millie and Maya, sister Ann Woodward (Fred), brother John Henderson (Felicity) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Also feeling the loss acutely are his many other "daughters": Britt, Stephanie, Caroline, Tia, Chelsey, Cassy, Christa, Alicia and
Janine; as well as many other longtime friends and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Percy and Elizabeth (Betty) Henderson, and his brothers Dick, Fred and Henry Henderson.
Doug's life was an unusual one. His family owned a gyppo logging camp, and he, along with his parents and brothers lived on a float-house in several inlets up and down the coast. He learned to work hard at an early age, entering the family business at eight as a whistle punk. Doug, the third of five boys, shared a bedroom with his brothers, and their Mom spent the first few years trying to home school her unruly brood. At the age of 12, Doug was sent to Nanaimo to board with his aunt and uncle in order to attend school. He went back home every summer to help with the family business. In 1973, after working many jobs, and attending SFU and BCIT, he found his true calling in the fishing industry. He spent the next thirty-five years fishing herring, salmon, cod, halibut and later, crab. After selling his fishing licences, he kept busy working various contracts and helping others with their projects.
We will be holding a celebration for Doug at the North West Bay Ranch - a place he truly loved - on June 21st, 2020. Further information will be published closer to the date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Palliative Care Unit (NRGH) or the Nanaimo SPCA.