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Douglas Orr
October 19, 1936 - January 13, 2013
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<div itemprop="description">On January 13, 2013 surrounded by family, Douglas Andrew Orr of Vernon, BC passed peacefully in the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. He had been in Nanaimo spending Christmas with his children and their families. Doug was born October 19, 1936 in Vancouver, BC. <br /> <br /> Survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Norma (Courtemanche), two sons, Robert (Mary) and three grandchildren; Victor (Tammy) and two grandchildren, all of Nanaimo; and one daughter, Sandra DesRochers and her three children; one great grandchild. Doug is also survived by his sister Marilou Appleby and her two children; his brother-in-laws and best buds Harvey Courtemanche (Linda) of Vernon and Wilfred Courtemanche (Laura) of Grindrod, BC. <br /> <br /> Doug is predeceased by his parents Andrew Orr and Edna Mariacher, and his in-laws Armand and Evelyn Courtemanche and their daughters Anne Marie and Brenda Girton. <br /> <br /> After graduation Doug began his long career in banking with the Royal Bank of Canada, then the Montreal Trust Co. in Vancouver and Victoria. He eventually joined the Credit Union banking system, finishing his career in Edmonton as General Manager of the Celanese Credit Union. His career with credit unions included 10 years at the Duncan &amp; District Credit Union, where he guided them through their transition to Island Savings Credit Union. During the time the family resided in Cowichan Bay, he realized a boyhood dream; joining the Cowichan Bay Fire Dept. He rose from fireman to Chief of the department, a position he held for over five years. <br /> <br /> After his retirement, he and Norma joined the flock of snowbirds spending time between Mesa, AZ and Edmonton, AB. In 2002 he began his 10 year plus battle with cancer, which ultimately led him to trade in the stationary mobile home for a rolling model. Over the next 9 years he and Norma travelled to many parts of the Western US and Canada, always accompanied by their dachshund travelling companions, Riley and Krysee. They finally relocated to Vernon, BC in October 2011 to be nearer to family, all the while continuing his valiant battle against cancer. <br /> <br /> The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful nursing staff of the 6th floor, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. There are too many to name, but they all know who they are. Your gentle care and kindness toward Doug was far beyond the call of duty. We truly appreciate how everyone went out of their way to make him comfortable. The family members were all made to feel welcome, and we were treated with great dignity. <br /> <br /> In lieu of flowers, Doug had asked that you make a donation to any SPCA, Animal Shelter or the cancer clinic at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. <br /> </div>