Oxford, NS
January 16, 2024
Gerald Douglas - 81, Oxford passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024, in All Saints Hospital, Springhill. Born in Springhill, he was the son of the late Douglas McLellan and Mabel (Sutherland) Vance and the beloved husband of Marion (Spence) for almost 40 years.
Gerry left Springhill to join the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served in various locations across Canada. After five years in the military, he worked as a Federal Correctional Officer in the Dorchester and Springhill Penitentiaries and then owned and operated a construction company for several years. In 1983 he returned to corrections, becoming the Superintendent of the Cumberland Correctional Facility where he worked until his retirement in 2001.
In his spare time, Gerry was always actively involved in his community. He was King Lion of the Oxford Lions Club, a volunteer firefighter, as well as serving on the Oxford Regional School Board, Cumberland Regional School Board, the Cumberland Library Board, and was President of the Cobequid Yorkshire Historical Society. He also served on the Oxford Town Council and has been a Member of the Royal Canadian Legion for the past 25 years.
Gerry’s love of snowmobiling led to countless hours of enjoyment and included time as President for many years of the Cumberland Snowmobile Club. He and his wife Marion also spent several enjoyable years square dancing with the Cumberland Twirlers where he also served as Co-President.
His real passion was developing the trail system through Oxford. He was a founding member of the Oxford & Area Trails Association where he also served as Trail Coordinator.
His hard work, dedication, and significant contributions to Nova Scotia were recognized in 2015 with Gerry being named Provincial “Volunteer of the Year” for the Town of Oxford. Other accolades that were bestowed on Gerry include Snowmobiler of the Year 1992, Snowmobile Association of Nova Scotia Outstanding Snowmobile Family 2003/2004, Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations Outstanding Snowmobile Family 2005, and Snowmobile Association of Nova Scotia Lifetime Achievement Award 2014. He was also recently awarded the Square and Round Dance Federation of Nova Scotia Mayflower Award in 2020 and the Cumberland Trails Association Trail Heroes Award in 2023.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Marion; daughters, Kerry (Bruce) Fraser, Cole Harbour; Kelly (Jeff) Harvey, Ottawa, ON; Gail Woodman, Middle Sackville; Beverly (Don) Hood, Charlottetown; brothers, Reg (Cheryl) McLellan, Springhill; Clancy (Margaret) Casey, Parrsboro; Roddie Casey, Moosejaw; grandchildren, Matthew Woodman, Justin Woodman, Keirsten Harvey, Lindsey Hood, Camryn Fraser and Claire Fraser.
He was predeceased by wife, Gladys; stepbrothers, Archie and Humphrey "Hump" Casey; and son-in-law, Kirk Woodman.
Visitation will be from 2-4 pm Saturday, January 20 in MacDiarmid’s Funeral Home, Oxford. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 21 in Oxford Baptist Church.
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