DOUGLAS WILLIAM DAVISON

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DOUGLAS WILLIAM DAVISON

It is with heavy hearts the family announces the passing of Douglas William Davison on Friday, March 29, 2025.

Doug was born in Winnipeg on June 19 1950. After graduating with an undergraduate Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba, he worked as a policy analyst in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, a political organizer and local and provincial campaign manager in Manitoba, as a senior executive in various provincial energy corporations across western and central Canada, and as a wind-energy start-up Executive Director. He had a passion for social justice throughout his career.

He loved people, and his welcoming way of being opened the hearts of those who knew him. Most business associates became friends. It was impossible not to be enveloped in his happy camaraderie, even in tough negotiations.

Doug loved the Winnipeg Folk Festival, working outside on the hobby farm near Hazelridge, setting up the ideal workspace in his workshop, visiting hamburger joints, and talking politics. After working a few years in Toronto and Vancouver, he moved back to Winnipeg and enjoyed friendships with his Scotia Street neighbours and walks in Birds Hill Park. After the death of his wife to cancer, he reconnected with his first sweetheart, Lisa. They married in Carona, Switzerland, where he enjoyed a life full of arts, concerts, hiking, learning Italian, and travelling in Europe. Although he faced significant challenges to his health in his last few years of life, he remained positive and open to new experiences.

Doug had a sense of playfulness, and enjoyed telling a good story. Once he dressed as Santa Claus during a flight, to surprise his grandchildren at the arrival gate. With his granddaughter Noni, he always signed his correspondence backwards, so she knew him as Spmarg (Gramps). And once, when he attended a ZZ Top concert with his grandson Iain and his son-in-law, he grew out his beard… As a granduncle, he attended hockey and Ultimate games and beamed from the sidelines, watching Hayden and Brooklyn play.

Doug is survived by his wife Lisa, brother-in-law Michael, mother-in-law Birgit, his stepdaughter Rhian (Dale), nephew Lee (Christine), grandchildren, Noni (Patrick) and Iain, as well as great-grandchildren, William and Lyle, grandniece Brooklynn, and grandnephew Hayden. He was predeceased by his mother Mary, sister Marilyn (Dale), stepson John, and first wife Linda Jolson.

A private family Celebration of Life will be held in May. Donations in Doug’s memory can be made to iDE Canada.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2025