Obituary of Douglas Edward Owen

OWEN, Douglas  Edward

August 4, 1925 to January 30, 2018

We announce, with deep sadness, the passing of Doug Owen, on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at the age of 92. He joins his beloved wife Colleen (nee Costin) with whom he shared 55 happy, inspiring years of marriage and three devoted children. When asked how he would describe his marriage in one sentence, he said: "We had a blast" - they were truly in love until the end.

Doug mourned when he was pre-deceased by his son Mark (Barb) in 2016. He is survived by his daughter Denise (Steven Millar), and son Jeffrey (Connie), of Kitchener-Waterloo. Dad was an incomparable force of life. Doug also leaves behind his and Colleen’s pride and joy, 12 grandchildren: Nicole (Greg Haynes), Deana, Brooke, Devin, and Quincy Bettencourt; Spencer, Olivia and Charlotte Owen; and Andrew, Amanda, Kelsey and Kristen Owen. The apple of his eye was great-granddaughter Lily Colleen (Nicole and Greg Haynes). He is survived by his favourite “older” brother Bruce (Anne) of Barrie with whom he shared a wonderful, ongoing bond, and nieces and nephews. His parents were Mary (nee McMillan) and Horace Owen. Growing up in the Depression, he was an irrepressible guy who loved and took care of his family. He was a perceptive go-getter with an eye toward the future.

Doug became a building entrepreneur who was well known in town and seemed to know everybody. After being in the navy in WWII, he started off as a bricklayer and worked on many major buildings (our hospitals, The Auditorium). He then started his own bricklaying firm, moving on to create Doug Owen Construction.  Doug was part of a holding company which was, at the time, the largest land development company in Canada, called Buildevco (Stanley Park area was part of their focus). He built quality homes, condominiums (Briarpatch), office buildings, factories (Colonial Cookies, who afterwards gave him free bags of cookies for life), apartments (The Manor House) and one of Waterloo's newest subdivisions, Whitetail Crossing. In 2011, Doug created a lasting contribution to our community by building a beautiful apartment building for low-income seniors on Erb Street called “My Owen Place”. He and Colleen had benefited greatly from living in K-W and they wanted to give something back that was unique and needed.

Doug was a member of the Westmount Golf and Country Club for over 40 years, and tried to never miss a Kitchener Rangers hockey game, especially as he had been a past president for the team (1980-1981).

While living at Westhill Residence, he met many caring staff and made a great new friend in Irma Zinken. Thanks to Grand River and Freeport hospitals for their excellent support, and his wonderful PSW helpers.

In his own words: “I worked hard and took pride and pleasure in my family. Really, I was a very lucky guy.”

Friends are invited to share their memories of Doug with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 6-8 pm and Saturday, February 3 from 12:30 – 1:15 pm.  The funeral service will follow in the chapel of the funeral home at 1:30 pm.  A reception will be held in the Fireside Reception Room of the funeral home.

Condolences for the family and donations to The Dialysis Unit of Grand River Hospital may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.