Obituary of Douglas Ivan Birdsell

Douglas Ivan Birdsell died at home in Calgary on Saturday, October 1, 2005 of colon cancer, at the age of 71 years. Doug was born in Stettler, AB on March 31, 1934, the eldest of three children born to Melba (nee Clark) and Ivan Birdsell. He grew up in Forestburg, AB, and received his post secondary education at General Motors Institute, Flint, MI; University of Utah, Logan, UT; and the University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. His early adult years were spent in Edmonton, working in the automobile industry. A move to Kelowna, BC in 1971 with his first wife Joanne (nee Myroon) marked the beginning of a successful career in the construction business. Doug was a master of design and execution who earned the respect and admiration of his employees, sub-contractors, and all those with whom he worked. His projects ranged from highway construction and ski lift installation to office buildings, and a hotel in Dawson City, YT. When you drive down Banff Avenue and enjoy the median and environs, you can think of Doug, as this was one of his projects. Doug had a creative and adventurous spirit and once expressed that one of his goals was to have a major adventure every year. The greatest and most unique of these was a trip from his home on Lake Okanagan to the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River system. A recent adventure was a ninety- kilometer bicycle ride, celebrating his 70th birthday on which he was accompanied by his family and many of his cousins and friends. Doug’s affable manner put people at ease, and family, friends and co-workers responded with loyalty and trust. After the death of Joanne, to whom he was married for thirty-five years, Doug moved to Calgary. He subsequently met and married Margie (nee Crosland) Berezowski. They enjoyed several very happy years filled with travel, shopping, golf, and Doug’s return to project management. Doug leaves to mourn his wife Margie of Calgary; his son Mark Douglas of Kelowna, BC; his sister Donna Williams of Victoria, BC; and his brother and sister-in-law Dale and Jane Birdsell of Calgary. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Laura Williams (Brendan Creaney) of London, England, Mary Birdsell (Trevor Farrow) of Edmonton, AB and David Birdsell of Los Angeles, CA. Also mourning Doug are Margie’s children, Nan Berezowski (Leny Carbone), Jill Berezowski (Michael Hirano) and Michael Berezowski (Vanessa). Doug was predeceased by his first wife Joanne. A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, October 8, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held at a later date in Kelowna, BC. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Flowers are graciously declined. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Surgical Education and Research Trust (Douglas Birdsell Fund), Room 1038, North Tower, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T8. Thank you to Drs. D. Buie, E. Dixon, S. Dowden, D. Gladman, M. LaBrie and to the compassionate caregivers at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the Foothills Medical Centre. In living memory of Doug Birdsell, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, AB T2S 2L5 Telephone: (403) 243-8200.