We regret to advise of the death of George Medal recipient Flying Officer Douglas Edgar Stevenson, GM, CD (Ret'd) peacefully, on Friday, 1 December 2017 in Ottawa in his 90th year.
Doug dedicated his life to the protection and safekeeping of others, first as a fire fighter in the Royal Canadian Air Force (1946–1963) and, since 1969, as the Founder and President of Douglas Fire Safety Systems Ltd.
Some highlights of Doug's career include his posting in 1954 from RCAF Station North Luffenham, England to the new home of No. 1 Fighter Wing in Marville, France. He was Fire Chief, RCAF Station Churchill, MB. Sergeant Doug Stevenson was a Crew Chief with a special detachment of RCAF Firefighters stationed at RCAF Station Downsview, ON in 1958 to provide crash protection for the AVRO Arrow Flight Test Program. He was the RCAF Auxilliary Eqpt procurement Officer in 1963.
After his retirement, as President of Douglas Fire Safety Systems Ltd Doug was responsible for the installation of HALON fire suppression units in some army combat vehicles in the early 1970s.
A strong supporter of the Fire Fighting Community, Doug was also the sponsor of the “Foam Bowl Trophy” for the Annual Firefighter Curling Bonspiel when he was Sales Manager with LORCON Foam Supplier. As a member of one of the History Teams he also contributed to the compiling of the Firefighter history: “Standing Against Fire.”
Doug became an honoured recipient of the George Medal of Bravery on 1 July 1959 in recognition of his courage and unselfishness and the complete disregard for his own personal safety at a major aviation fuel fire on 10 July 1956 at a NATO fuel dump at Montmedy, France near No. 1 Fighter Wing. Sergeant Stevenson, who was acting as Deputy Fire Chief, performed two acts of bravery that enabled the fire department to bring the fire of a rail shipment of aviation fuel under control and finally to extinguish it.
Family and friends are invited to visit at Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3700 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON on Friday, 8 December at 10:00 am followed by a Memorial Service in the Chapel at 11:00 am. Immediately following the interment, the family invites you to join them for Doug’s last beer at the Manotick Legion, 5550 Ann Street, to share your stories and memories.
Contributions in Doug's memory may be directed to the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.\On line condolences can be sent to Arbour Memorial. {khDec2017}
