DOUG ERSKINE

1934 - 2014

Douglas Hendricks Erskine, beloved husband of Beverly Erskine, passed away in Coaldale on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at the age of 80 years.
The Funeral Service was held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, June 6, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Aldeen McKay officiating. A private burial service followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Doug is survived by his wife of fifty five years, Beverly and their children David (Dolly) Erskine of Bragg Creek and their family Stephanie (Matt) and Ryan; Deanna (Gary) Glas of Coaldale and their family Breanne (Chris) Shaw, Steve (Willeke) and Kim Glas; Brad (Pam) Erskine of High River and their family Sam, Jesse and Jordan; Lara (Dallas) Higgs of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and their family Jenessa, Marissa, Lane, Kienna and Tanner. He is also survived by his sister Connie (John) Lerner of Victoria, British Columbia and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Hazel (nee Hendricks) and Norman Erskine and by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda (Joe) Rumohr and Fay (Jack) Urdal.
Douglas was born on May 20, 1934 to Norman & Hazel Erskine in Lomond where he was raised in with his three sisters. He moved to Vauxhall as a young man to play baseball for the Vauxhall Jets. It was here that he met his sweetheart, Beverly Fellger. They were married on August 22, 1959, and were soon blessed with four children. David appeared first, with Deanna, Brad and Laralee following shortly after.
Doug became business partners with his dad in 1954, opening "Erskine's Hardware " on Vauxhall's main street. He enjoyed serving all of his customers for the next thirty six years, always looking forward to the "closed Wednesday afternoons", which was usual in Vauxhall during those years. Doug would meet up with the other local business owners at the Legion for a "sociable" on these days. He retired in 1990 and he and Bev moved to Taber.
Doug was very active in his younger years being an avid golfer and curler, winning many tournaments and bonspiels. He leaves a "legacy" for us all at the Vauxhall Golf course, having planted a tree in the middle of the fairway on hole #2, obviously, without permission. This is now referred to as "The Erskine Tree". While residing in Taber, Doug decided to take on a seasonal job and ended up working at the Taber Sugar Factory for a couple of years. After a few more years, they moved on to Lethbridge.
Doug soon had a regular golf date in Picture Butte with the guys, joining them each morning for golf and a lot of laughs. He became ill in 2008 and had to be moved to extended care in Taber where he resided until 2011, at which time he was moved to the extended care in Coaldale where he remained until his passing.
He had an amazing life - loving family, great friends, good times and a lot of laughs!
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Doug’s name may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, Box 2211, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4K7 (www.heartandstroke.ab.ca).