Obituary of Harold DOIG

December 31, 1939 – Cereal, Alberta
December 23, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Harold Doig on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at the age of  80 years, after having contracted COVID-19 one week ago. 

Harold was born in Cereal, AB to Howard and Elida Doig. He grew up on a farm near Youngstown, AB and always had a deep respect for farm life. As a young adult, he moved to Hanna. He enjoyed mechanically inclined projects, and retired from his work as a car mechanic with the CNR in the mid 1990’s. He spent his later adult years in Ponoka where he enjoyed being a part of the community. When he had a landline at home and before he had a cell phone, I could easily get a hold of Dad by calling the local Crossroads Restaurant in the morning; if he wasn’t there at the time for morning coffee, the staff would relay the message to him when he’d return for afternoon coffee. He didn’t need a cell phone until that restaurant closed down! He loved to go for drives and managed to keep his old Dodge truck on the road years after anyone else would have given up on it. He was a really good crib player as he played crib on a daily basis with various friends. But he didn’t always win - we enjoyed reminding Dad that when he taught Arvind to play, Arvind had beginners’ luck and skunked him on his first game! 

As his health began to decline, he moved to Calgary to be closer to Arvind and Leona, and although he liked to live life on his own terms, he eventually got used to being bossed around by Leona on a more frequent basis. He enjoyed visiting with his niece and nephew, Jodi and Gerald, great-nephew Jeff, and his cousin Betty and her kids “the Anderson boys” Terry, Bruce and Lorelie, Todd and Lyzzy, Brianna and Matteo. 

Later in the pandemic when he got a SMART TV, his quality of life in isolation was greatly enhanced by Mark Fecho’s “Mr. Hanna Keys” music videos on Youtube, as he recognized Mark, the old-time music, and the references to communities around Hanna. He perked right up when this was played for him. It was something meaningful for him when due to his advancing dementia nothing else could really register for him and any activities were very limited due to the pandemic. We are very grateful that Mark has put up these videos, and that technology could allow for this comfort. 

Harold is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Leona Doig and Arvind Chawla; in-laws, Doug and Heather Hein, Mary Ann Campion, and John Sinclair. 

Harold was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Elida Doig; his three brothers, Dennis, Jim, Larry; brother-in-law Roy Campion and ex-wife Diane (nee Sinclair) Kern. 

Dad will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered next summer. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Harold’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Hull Service, 2266 Woodpark Avenue S.W, Calgary, AB T2W 2Z8 Telephone: 1 (403) 251-8000, https://hullservices.ca/how-you-can-help/donate-now/. Hull Services holds a special place in our hearts, and any donation made will have a significant impact on the lives of kids and families struggling with mental health problems. This agency helps people have a better chance at a healthy life, and Dad loved that the founder, William Roper Hull, was a cowboy, rancher, and philanthropist. 

We are very grateful for the loving care he received at AgeCare Walden Heights, our “professional family”. Special thanks to Cris, Tracey, Merlene, Decel, Dawn Marie, and all of LPNs and healthcare aides who always treated dad in a good-natured manner and with respect even when he was a “tough customer” at times. Dad’s only complaint here was that the staff told him “I love you, Papa Bear” too much; what a wonderful complaint to have! We should all be so lucky. We are very grateful to Dr. Asif Ejaz and his team for providing exceptional, compassionate care in Dad’s last few years. 

Please click here to watch a video tribute for Harold.

In living memory of Harold Doig, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.