Douglas Arthur “Doug” Dennis
Douglas Arthur Dennis
September 6, 1942 – September 11, 2022
It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that our family wishes to announce the sudden passing of Douglas (Doug) Arthur Dennis at his residence, RR#1 Port Burwell on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at the age of 80 years. Loving and generous husband to Sandi. Dearly missed by Carolyn Dennis (nee Pike), the mother of his four daughters. Loving, guiding, supportive and extremely proud father to Cindy-Lee Dennis and her husband Matthew Turner, Christine Dennis and her husband Sean Grantham, Alison Dennis and her partner Andrew Sloan, Julie Casey and her husband Timothy Casey. Inspiring and patient grandfather to Emmett, Hillary, Alistair, Clare, Rose, Sophie, Isabel, James, Mina and her fiancé Francesco and soon to be born great-granddaughter Mila. He also leaves to mourn his beloved brother Wayne Dennis. Predeceased by his father Jesse Dennis, his mother Rosa Dennis (nee Lawrence) and his brother Lawrence Dennis.
Doug was born and raised in Straffordville, Ontario. After working for his father on his tobacco farm in his youth, Doug purchased his first of many farms. He also embarked on a long and successful career with Mutual Life of Canada where he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Million Dollar Round Table. In his retirement, he founded Otter River Farms, an eco-tourism business that continues today.
An avid steward of the Carolinian forest, Doug was a director of the Elgin Middlesex Woodlot Owners’ Association and was proud to have been awarded the Carolinian Canada Conservation Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the protection of the natural diversity and natural habitats of Ontario’s Carolinian Life Zone.
All who knew Doug are invited to attend a public visitation on Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Ostrander’s Funeral Home, 43 Bidwell Street, Tillsonburg. Always proud of his British heritage, Doug’s public celebration of life will be conducted on the same day as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, on Monday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Ostrander’s Funeral Home, Tillsonburg, with reception to follow. The interment ceremony will take place at the Straffordville Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Ontario Woodlot Association “in memory of Douglas Dennis” at https://www.ontariowoodlot.com/get-involved/donate. Friends and relatives are invited to share personal condolences and favourite memories at https://www.ostranderfuneralhome.com.