News
Furneaux, John Douglas Vernon "Douglas"
Passed away October 4, 2019
It is with great sadness and heart-breaking sorrow that we, the family of Douglas Furneaux, announce his sudden passing in the warmth of his own home, on the morning of October 4th. Dad, patriach of our family, was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle.
Born in St. John’s, NL, he is predeceased by his parents Dr. Jack Furneaux and Margaret (née: Clark); beloved grandson Andrew Furneaux; brothers in law James Begg, Otto Ebert, Frank Fieser, Frank Day and Harold Day and sister in law Elizabeth Day. He leaves a life time of deeply treasured memories with his wife, Gertrude (known as Trudy), his children, Jeff ( Betty) Victoria, BC, Guy (Annette) St. John’s, and Karen (Jerry Baird) St. John’s. Also, leaving to mourn, his wonderful grandchildren, Jeffrey (Heather), Victoria, BC, John (Lesley) Squamish, BC, Heather, Victoria, BC, Josh, Victoria, BC, James, St. John’s, Nicholas (Erin), and Erin (Adam) Victoria, his beautiful grandchildren, Nash, Piper, Malia, Audrey, Halle, Shea and Victoria and sisters Mildred Begg, Sacramento, CA, Jane Crosbie (John) St. John’s, Almeda Ebert (Lodi, CA) and Heather Fieser, Napa, CA; sisters in law - Lorraine Day and Margaret Day; brothers in law - Ralph Day (Millicent) and Melville Day (Margaret) St. John’s; also, a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. His tender touch will also be missed by our families’ cherished pets as well.
Dad was born in 1927 and grew up on the corner of Elizabeth Ave/Allandale Rd (where MUN’s Burton Pond Apts are now located). He was the second eldest and the only boy to Margaret (Clark) and Jack Furneaux and was born into a beautiful and loving family of five children. His Mom, Margaret Clark provided nurturing love and discipline needed to raise a large family. His father, Dr. Jack Furneaux, known as “Doc Furneaux” was the first Veterinarian in St. John’s, NL. Dad’s father was a well known animal doctor to many farmers and residents of the Avalon peninsula. When Dad was young, he would accompany his father on many late night calls in all sorts of harsh NL weather as an “extra set of hands” for his father’s veterinary practice. As a young boy, he attended Bishop Field College. His first job was at 15 years of age working for the Navy in St. John’s driving military personnel. He never told them his age when he went looking for work. He attended highschool at King’s College in Nova Scotia.
His career found him working for Capital Coachlines, Fraser Brace, Tower Construction, Allied Construction, CMIC and McNamara. He went on to start his own construction company, Spade Construction and later transitioned into the rental business in the 70s.
He met Mom when they were both 19, they dated fell in love and then he moved off to NYC with his friend, Evan Johnson for eight months. He returned to St. John’s after realizing Mom was the woman for him. He returned on Valentine’s Day and proposed. The rest is history. They were married on July 14, 1952. His whole life, Dad was a keen entrepreneur with a fire in his belly to keep moving, keep living and making the most of his life with Mom and all of us.
He was one of the last remaining survivors of the tragic K of C Fire on Dec. 12, 1942. Journalists, over the years, reached out for interviews to speak about the tragedy but Dad could never come to terms about speaking of the horrific loss of life he saw in that terrible fire.
He was a hard worker who had an incredible work ethic and never believed in retirement. He continued to work till he could work no more. Dad was kind and gentle. A man with a strong solid hand shake and a twinkle in his eye when he met you. He had a great sense of humour, was a kidder, a teaze and a tormenter, a fighter and peacemaker, a fixer and problem solver. He adored our Mom and all of us and was utterly devoted to his family. He loved his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he cared for deeply. Dad will be remembered for his love, kindness, generosity and integrity.
Despite Dad’s many accomplishments in life, he was humble and understated - a true gentleman in the old fashioned sense of the word. Dad loved simple things in life and lived simply. All that mattered was Family. He loved a fine home cooked meal by Mom and had a huge and nutured interest in nature, especially birds. He and Mom were advocates for their health and embraced a healthy lifestyle all of their lives. A testament to his longevity. They were also avid gardeners and grew all their own vegetables and kept 3 greenhouses plus several vegetable patches filled for many years. Always pragmatic and not always a romantic, he would give Mom a tandem load of manure for her birthday every June.
We couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful father. We are proud to carry his legacy, values and spirit with us all the days of our lives.
Cremation has taken place. The family will accept visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Tuesday October 8 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held from the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Wednesday October 9 at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, Andrew and Pop will be interred together at Forest Road Anglican Cemetery. Donations in Douglas’ memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice
King’s-Edgehill School is located in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
