Obituary of Douglas Marshall Irvine

Memorial donations may be made to Nova Scotia Nature Trust (nsnt.ca) to help support Doug’s vision of sustainability. 

UNFORTUNATELY, AT THIS POINT, rumours of my demise have not been exaggerated. Most good things end, as has my time living amongst you all in the physical realm.  And yet, I am ever-present in our shared spiritual kingdom. I am thinking of those near and dear to my heart, especially those who have helped and loved me along the way: my beautiful and all-loving, ever-caring wife, Nancy; my son, Dylan and his wife Meaghan, and their precious Jack and baby to come; my daughter Nataleah, her husband Greg and their dog Opie. 

Spending time in Cornwall, Smiths Cove and Hantsport has left me with too many close and supportive friends to name.  To all my friends, up close and far away, please know that you were what made my life worth living. You were the foundation upon which I built myself. Such friends can never be parted.

After spending most of my life learning and teaching, you would think, I might have some of the answers. But I think in the past few months, I am just beginning to see the important aspects of existence. They can be found in the blades of grass and the great sky above; “to glimpse the world in a grain of sand”, as William Blake wrote. We are what we are and we each need to add a little something good to the mix to make it all work well. The world is ever-changing and we too ebb and flow with those relentless tides.

I have had a steadfast, creative, worthy life since the day I was born. There has never been too many or too severe an obstacle placed before me. So ideal a life I have lived; one saturated with friendship, adventures, travel, marriage, family, lifestyle and location - I depart with no regrets except for my loss to the laws of longevity.

"He who binds himself to joy

Does the winged life destroy

He who kisses the joy as it flies

Lives in eternity's sunrise"

~ William Blake

It is with great sadness that the family of Douglas Marshall Irvine announces his passing on November 6th at the age of 68 years.

Doug will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 40 years, Nancy Ruth (nee Prescesky); his children, Dylan McMaster (wife Meaghan and son Jack) and Nataleah Rae (husband Greg and dog Opie) Hanlon. Doug will also be mourned by his sister, Mona Louise (Philip) Webb, Toronto, ON; brothers David Marshall (Sylvia) Irvine, Smiths Cove, and John Marshall (Gloria) Irvine, Cornwall, ON; nieces Andrea MacDonell, Jennifer Begrand and Lynn Harland and nephews Peter Webb, Geoffery Irvine, James Irvine and Jonathan Irvine.

He was predeceased by his parents Lt. Colonol Arthur Marshall Irvine M.B.E, CD (born in St. John, NB) and Margaret Mona (McMaster) Irvine (born in Montreal, QC); and nephew, Marshall Webb.

Doug will be remembered by the countless lives he touched across 30 years as an educator at Hantsport School and through his extensive involvement in the communities where he resided. He took great pride in leading and participating in numerous clubs, organizations, sports teams, hosting decades of Dart Tournaments and litter cleanups. He also donated his time and efforts to the Harbourview Cottagers’ Association, Smiths Cove Cemetery Board, Smiths Cove Museum and the Order of St. Lazarus.

The family would like to thank all of those who gave their love, time and positivity through difficult times. Thank you to Heather, Bruce and Tyler Horne for their unwavering support. We thank the dedicated team of personal care workers, Amber Phillips and the palliative care team, the oncology team from both the QEII and Kentville hospitals, VON, and the extensive list of friends and family who supported us along this journey.

Safe journey Doug, Dad, Babudee, Duck, Doogie, D.

Respects can be paid at the Irvine residence in Hantsport between 2:00 - 6:00 pm on Tuesday, November 10th with a celebration of life to follow at the cottage in August 2021. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr., Coldbrook, NS, B4P 1B9 (902-679-2822).