Tav mcdougall biography of donald

Born in Egremont Township near Holstein, Ontario on June 1, 1941, Don was the youngest son of the late Hubert and Margaret (nee Watson) McDougall.

Don was a multi-faceted man who loved not only the outdoors and farming, but also teaching and sharing with others, particularly young people. In his adolescence, he was a member of the local 4H club in Mount Forest and exhibited a keen interest in animal husbandry, a passion he maintained throughout his entire life. After graduating high school in Mount Forest in 1960, he pursued a degree in general science at the University of Toronto (Ontario Agricultural College), earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1964.

After receiving his teaching certificate from Althouse College, Don taught first at College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock until 1967.  He spent the remainder of his teaching career at Georgian Bay Secondary School in Meaford, as a member of the teaching staff and head of the science department, until his retirement in 1997.

Don was very active in his community, working with the Bighead River Foodgrains Project, serving as a director of the Meaford and St. Vincent Agricultural Society, the executive of the Meaford Curling Club, Meaford Adult Skating Club, and a member of Knox Presbyterian Church. He was an avid fan of curling, football, baseball, and hockey, all of which he played as a youth. He coached curling in high school and, in his spare time, enjoyed a good game of bridge or euchre (he had the uncanny ability of keeping track of every single card played in a hand).

Beyond his involvement in the community, Don enjoyed his vegetable garden, tractor rides, hiking along the river, annual “Fishing Trips” with university friends, and spending time with his children and grandchildren making hay mazes and playing cards and crokinole. He also travelled extensively during his retirement years exploring many parts of the world with Eleanor. Don’s primary focus was always his family, to whom he was devoted.

Don was the beloved husband of the former Eleanor Holliday and the much loved father and grandfather of son Nevin McDougall and his wife Nicole Kushner of London, Ontario and their children Kierra, Graeme and Heather, son Ron McDougall and his wife Suzanne Halliday of Fall River, Nova Scotia and their children Fraya and Kendra, and daughter Laurie, husband Adam Donald and their children Callum and Avery residing in Bucharest, Romania.

Don is remembered by his sister Marilyn McGuffin of London, Ontario and sister in-law Lee Hines of Beaver Valley, Ontario. He is also remembered by Eleanor’s family; Ron and Isobel Oakley, Glenna Barton, Bill and Wilda Wilson, and Terry McFarlane.

He is predeceased by his brother Dr. Allan McDougall of Beaver Valley, Ontario, and sisters in-law Thelma McDougall of Chatsworth, Ontario, Lorraine Irwin of Scarborough, Ontario, and Elma McFarlane of Mount Forest, Ontario and brother in-law Bruce Barton of Mount Forest, Ontario.

Cremation has taken place and the family will receive friends at the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E. in Meaford on Monday from 5 until 8 p.m.  A memorial service will be conducted at Knox Presbyterian Church, 591 St. Vincent St. in Meaford on Tuesday September 17, 2019 at 1 p.m. followed by a reception in the fellowship hall.  A service of committal and interment of Don’s cremated remains will take place at a later date.  If so desired and as your expression of sympathy, donations to the Bighead River Foodgrains Project or Knox Presbyterian Church (cheques only please) would be appreciated.   www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca