July 25th, 1933 - August 9th, 2023
The family of George Douglas (Doug) Booth are deeply saddened to announce the death of their dear husband, father, and grandfather on August 9, 2023 at the age of 90. Douglas is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years Beryl (nee Bruce), his children Allyson (Mark), John (Arounna), and Gillian (Peter), and his beloved grandchildren Lliam, Piper, Carter, and Spencer. Douglas is predeceased by his parents George Robert Booth and Dorothea Ellen Booth (nee Brown) of Oshawa where he grew up. Doug will be deeply missed by his sister Eleanor Edwards and his many nieces and nephews, whose hearts he touched through his undying support and friendship.
Doug studied biology at Queen’s University, graduating in 1958, followed by a degree in Education at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). In 1960, he joined the staff at Richmond Hill High School as a biology teacher, later becoming Head of their Science Department until his retirement. As an advisor to the Board of Education, he made major contributions to curriculum development – fundamentally changing the way grade 13 biology was taught to make it more meaningful to students. He poured his heart and soul into teaching young minds and inspired many of his students to pursue a career in science and medicine.
In the last 30 years of his life, he devoted his energy to championing affordable housing initiatives in York Region (Trinity Glen, Kin Village), receiving a Lifetime of Service award from the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association in 2018 for his leadership. His other passions included researching and writing about the genealogy of the Booth and Brown families in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, and the history of the Town of Newmarket. He also enjoyed countless summers with friends and family at our cottage on Lake Huron, which held a particularly special place in his heart.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, August 25th at 2 pm at Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave, Newmarket, Ontario. A visitation will be held prior to the service at Trinity United Church from 1-2 pm and a reception will follow.
His family would like to thank Dr. Hans Chung and his team at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Regional Health Centre and his Oncology/GI team at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, particularly, Drs. Yoo-Joung Ko, Gary May and Jeffrey Mosko.
A special thanks to Dr. Stephanie Cheon and the incredibly special and compassionate team of nurses, PSW’s and volunteers at the Margaret Bahen Hospice in Newmarket who cared for Doug in his final weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honour to the Margaret Bahen Hospice. www.myhospice.ca/donate
Arrangements entrusted to Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home