Walter "Doug" Lorne Carlson

Walter Douglas “Doug” Carlson passed away at home, with his loving wife Gail at his side, on January 2nd, 2021 in Sechelt, British Columbia, after a tough battle with Glioblastoma. From his diagnosis onwards, Doug displayed an inspiring degree of resilience and optimism. For as long as he could talk, if you asked how he was doing, his answer was unwaveringly “so far so good.” In a similar way throughout his life, Doug’s glass was always more than half full, no matter the adversity. He was a dreamer and inventor, he loved adventures, both good and bad, and he could see potential in anything and everything—which explains why he couldn’t throw anything away, ever. He always had a way of making parts to fix whatever might break.

Above all else though, Doug saw himself as a family man, and his is a big, beautiful patchwork quilt of a family.  Doug is survived by his wife Gail, his children Laura Cochrane (Marc Stryj), Jennifer Carlson (Cris Barnes), Morgan Carlson (Tanya Erb), Amanda Carlson (Peter Jackson), Richard Carlson (Marilynn Bergen), his grandchildren and great grandchildren Amanda, Olivia (Jason), Nicole (David), Cage, Laine, Sophie, Nevaeh, Nathan, Sierra, Peyton, Elijah, Teresa, Frances, Levita, Lily and Leona, his siblings Cathy Morrow (Ernie), Mel Carlson (Juliette), Robert Carlson (Joan), and his in-laws John Jones (Judy), Doug Jones (Wendy), Torrianne Altilia (Greg), as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Doug is predeceased by his parents Harold and Jean (McCrie) Carlson, his ex-wife Kathy Collar (nee Prime), and his granddaughter Rain Bergen.

Doug was born April 21, 1950 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. After spending the early part of his childhood on the prairies, his family moved to Golden, British Columbia. He proudly graduated from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, launching his long career as an automotive mechanic. For years, he owned his own shop, Friendship Auto Service in Abbotsford, and he finished his automotive career working in the film industry. After retiring from the auto industry, Doug spent several years owning and operating Big Macs store in Sechelt. Throughout his life, Doug called several communities home: Golden, Burnaby, Abbotsford, Langley, and finally Sechelt. He was a longtime member of local churches—St. Matthews Anglican in Abbotsford, and Crossroads Community Church in Sechelt. He volunteered with Lions International Club, and as a driver for Sechelt’s Community Services. Doug also hosted many international exchange students over the years, from all over the world. He truly touched a great many lives.

Sadly, because of COVID, we will not be holding a traditional service.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the BC Cancer Agency.

Doug is deeply missed by his family and friends. 

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