On May 17 2022 a life well-lived and admired drew to a close. The many, and diverse, chapters of Doug Bunker’s life commenced March 23 1928.
The intervening years were replete with grace, warmth, wit, humility, integrity, calm, laughter and just the right amount of mischievousness. Doug was always active physically, socially and intellectually and embraced new endeavours with relish.
As a youth growing up in Burlington he excelled at distance running and pole vaulting. After electrical studies through Ryerson and licensing as an electrician he established an electrical contracting business servicing the Burlington/Hamilton area. It was during the course of his work he met, who was to become his wife of 67 years, Lynne Watts. After getting 4 children into the world they moved to Redgrave Ontario to farm sheep, changing to meet market demands for the next 2 decades. Farm income (or lack thereof) was supplemented with work as an electrician, first at Campbell Soups, then Midwestern Regional Centre. In addition to a busy work life there was always time for bowling, dancing, swimming, fishing and snowmobiling.
Upon retirement from farming, Doug embarked on what was to be a solo 4 year, 4 bedroom log house build near Mildmay. The surrounding woods were groomed for skiing. Ponds were dug for swimming and wildlife. Fields were planted with gardens and apple trees. Many family celebrations were hosted on the premises.
The creations of ponds was a segue to the next chapter: the purchase of a sailboat docked at Meaford from where Doug would happily take passengers sailing on Georgian Bay. The next chapter was a move to Mildmay where Doug embraced an appreciation for vinyl and made an impact on the availability of vinyl records on the market. The door was always open to a competitive game of euchre. Threaded throughout was travel within Canada, canoeing and camping with friends and family. A social consciousness led to running for town council, becoming chairman of the Howick Community Centre building committee, donating the fruits of his lovingly tended apple trees to food banks.
His greatest joys were having his family together revelling in each others company, engaging his grandchildren in the wonders of nature and sharing countless laughs. Douglas Clement Bunker was an exemplary father and husband, and the consummate host and gentleman.
Loving husband of the late Lynne (Watts) Bunker who predeceased him on Sept. 20, 2019. Father of Tim and Brenda Bunker, Sandy and Sylvia Bunker, Christine and Glen Wasylyk, and Alison Bunker and Duncan MacFie. Sharing grandfather to Pam and James Tolton, Cheryl and Zac Zehr, Todd Bunker and Melissa Grotenhuis, Greg Bunker and Ramya Jegatheesan, Bob and Jacquie Bunker, Andrea Bunker, Alex Bunker and and Mauro Coutinho, Amy Wasylyk, Beth Wasylyk, and Hamish Bunker MacFie. Great-grandfather to Cameron, Caleb, Cece, Taylor, Madison, Avery, and Olivia. Favourite brother-in-law of Joan Cressman of Hanover. Doug was the last surviving and youngest of Blanche (Hembry) and William Bunker’s 6 children
The family appreciates the conscientious care and attentiveness given to Dad during his residency at Fordwich Village Nursing Home.
A Celebration of Doug’s life was held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston, on Friday May 20, 2022 from 2 to 4. Rev. Gail Clarkson officiating. Interment at a later date in St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery, Mildmay. Memorial donations to Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
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