Douglas BIRCH

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BIRCH: Douglas Vernal Garnet Birch 1932 - Nov. 19, 2014 passed quietly after several years of living with Parkinson's disease. Born in Brandon MB, he met his wife Joyce Birch in Gladstone and they married in 1951. Their only child, Phlyp was born in 1952. Doug and Joyce were educated at the Brandon Teacher's college, and taught at Westbourne, Brandon, CFB Shilo and at Chilliwack BC. He enjoyed hockey and baseball in his youth, and took up golf, playing many rounds at Shilo. He spent 2 years teaching on a CUSO exchange in Trinidad, and spent time in Peru helping the university set up new science and technology courses. He attained his PhD in education from the U of Manitoba. He was the first civilian in Canada to earn a pilot's license with sight in only one eye. Joyce took a teaching job in Winnipeg where they resided until her passing in 2007. He lived with his mother in law Leona until taking residence at the nursing home, Third Crossing Manor in Gladstone. He is survived by his son Phlyp and wife Sandra nee Ireland of Binscarth MB, his mother in law Leona Reid of Gladstone, his sister in law Faye Griffiths of Toronto, his nephew Barry Birch and wife Barbara and family of Winnipeg, and his niece Barbara Vic and husband Frank, of Thunder Bay, ON. He was predeceased by his father Thomas Henry Birch, his mother Annie Matilda Wiley, his brothers Cecil and Leslie, and sister Marion. He requested that he not be given a formal funeral, just a private family service at the graveside. A Private Family Graveside Service will take place at the Gladstone Cemetery at a later date. Donations may be made for Parkinson's/dementia research. Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone~MacGregorwww.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 29, 2014