On January 28, 2011 in Oakville, Ontario, age 90 years, due to complications of Parkinson's Disease. Predeceased by his beloved wife Mary Joy (Winters) in 1996, his elder son David William (Linda Mary Rothney) in 1997, and his daughter Anne Elizabeth (Brent Allen Boyd) in 2004. Devoted father of son John Douglas (Mary Jane Slavin) and proud grandfather of Jordan, Andrew, Christopher, Patrick, Geoffrey and David. Doug will also be sadly missed by many other relations and dear friends.

Doug was born to Henry Appleton and Alice Hawkins on January 22, 1921 in Toronto. He attended Rosedale Public School and Jarvis Collegiate Institute where he excelled at sports. Upon graduation, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in North Africa and Italy as a navigator with 267 Squadron of the R.A.F.. He achieved the rank of Flying Officer.

Upon his return, Doug studied accounting at the University of Toronto and became a CA. He started his career with O'Keefe's Brewing Company and then left to help start the Canadian branch of the Electronics Corporation of America which grew into a noted company in the industry.

Doug was a dedicated family man and devoted much of his free time to his passions -- sports and youth. He coached, managed, mentored and served on executive committees. He served as the President of the then Toronto Township Hockey Association and as President of the Applewood Baseball League. Later in life he was appointed to the Governing Council of the University of Toronto.

In 1975 Doug obtained his MBA from McMaster University and went on to teach at Humber College, a calling which provided him with ten wonderful and fulfilling years. After retiring, Doug completed his BA in Art History at the University of Toronto, another passion he shared with his wife, Joy. Doug and Joy were world travelers and spent many happy summers at their cottage in Georgian Bay. Doug will be remembered as a gentle man of grace, integrity and kindness.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Wyndham Manor who made Doug's last days so comfortable and for the support they gave the family.

Visitation will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600), Oakville on Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm.
A celebration of Doug's life will be held at St. Aidan's Anglican Church, 318 Queen Mary Drive, Oakville on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception. Private family interment at St. James Cemetery in Toronto. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Aidan's Church Capital Fund would be appreciated.