Abram Doell

Abram (Abe) Christopher Doell passed away on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 in Brampton, Ontario at the age of 70, surrounded by his loving wife, Margaret, and daughters Denise and Doreen.

Abe was born on April 4, 1942 in Plum Coulee, Manitoba. At age 17 he set out for the big city of Winnipeg and met his wife to be, Marg. It took Abe six months of seeing Marg daily, Monday to Friday at the bank where she worked, before he finally had the courage to ask her out. 51 years later, they still celebrate and remember their first date on December 3rd when they went to see the movie, “Feed Me, I’m Hungry”. On April 19, 1961, Abe wrote on the back of a picture of him standing by his first car...”My darling, Nothing can replace the joy that you, in all your loveliness, have placed into my heart, may it remain so forever.” These words embody their enduring love.

Abe married Marg on May 30, 1961 in Manitoba and the next day they moved to Ontario. Abe and Marg did everything together from that day forward. One year after they were married, Marg and Abe were surprised with the birth of not one, but two daughters, Denise and Doreen, identical twins. Now it was Abe and his three girls. He was devoted to them and made them the focus of his life.

Abe is best remembered for his fun loving nature and his practical jokes. You could always tell he was up to something by looking at his eyes because they always crinkled up in laughter. Abe loved to play baseball and hockey, and taught his daughters to play baseball, change a tire, and be independent. He was a wonderful husband and father. Abe also loved playing with his four grandchildren. First there was Neil, the first grandson. It was while playing with Abe that Neil first laughed. A few years later Abe became the grandfather of Joshua, Victoria, and Noah. They each have fond memories of playing hockey and baseball with him, eating ice cream (one of Abe’s favourite things), and even drinking tea from tiny tea cups.

Other than his family, Abe’s passion was eating desserts (especially chocolate pudding), his Ford trucks, his motorcycle, snowmobiles, and a dune buggy that he built himself. Abe was always building or fixing things around the house or cottage.

Abe was a Glazier by trade, working in the window industry for almost 25 years. He installed windows in some recognizable skyscrapers in Toronto and elsewhere, including the TD Tower, the Manulife building, the Royal Bank building, and the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls.

Abe learned he had Parkinsons at age 38. Although he had to stop working at 45, he never stopped. He continuously strived to keep going, working around the house and spending a lot of time with his grandchildren. He faced every day with determination, and even when he was in the long term care residence, he would surprise the employees by spontaneously getting up to take a walk when they least expected it.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to Extendicare Brampton for the loving care and attention that Abe was given by the nursing staff and employees. They treated him with kindness and respect, and encouraged him to continue to participate in outings and activities. While he was in palliative care, they told us many stories of the laughs and fun they shared with him, and we truly appreciate that they cared about him as a family member.

Abe is survived by his wife Margaret, his daughters Denise (Leslie) and Doreen Ridley (Paul), and his grandchildren, Neil Anness, Joshua Crossland, Victoria Ridley, and Noah Crossland. He is also survived by his brothers Frank and Henry (Zelda); sisters Susan (John) Braun and Helen (Jim) Giesbrecht; sisters-in-law Marge Doell, Ruby Doell, and Patricia Dobson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Predeceased by his parents, Cornelius and Maria Doell; brothers Cornelius, David, and Ben; sisters Agatha Hildebrand and Mary Derksen; brothers-in-law Cornelius Derksen and Tom Braun; sisters-in-law Helen and Ethyl Doell; father-in-law and mother-in-law Bob and Betty Dobson.

Although we are saddened by Abe’s passing, we know that he is in Heaven, free from suffering, and reunited with family and friends who have gone before him. We love you, Abe, Dad, Grandpa.