Contributions to the tribute of Douglas Gordon Severn

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Sarah posted a condolence

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Almost a month ago, we said goodbye to my Grandpa, peacefully, surrounded by the people who loved him most. As his first-born granddaughter, I was lucky enough to spend 39 years being loved by one of the most incredible men I'll ever know. There are people who leave footprints on your heart, and then there are people who shape who you become. My Grandpa did both. From the time I was little, he had a way of making me feel like I was the only person in the room. No matter how busy life was or who else was around, when I was with him, I had his full attention. He made me feel important, safe, and so deeply loved. When I think back on my childhood, so many of my happiest memories begin with him. The adventures he took me, my siblings, my cousins (Seamus and Sinead) on... teaching us how to ski... the countless experiences he gave us that my family may not have otherwise been able to afford. Looking back now, I realize those moments weren't about the money—they were about his love. If it wasn't for him, I would have never experienced so many of the moments that made my childhood so magical. He was the funniest, silliest man. He never took life too seriously and somehow made every visit feel special. Sleepovers with Grandpa meant laughter, endless treats, and somehow dessert becoming part of dinner. His sweet tooth was legendary, and those little traditions became some of my favourite memories. But behind all of the laughter was one of the hardest-working men I've ever known. When he and my Grandma lost everything financially in the 1990s, they didn't let it define them. Together, they worked tirelessly to rebuild their lives. He taught us that success isn't about never falling—it's about finding the strength to get back up and never giving up on the people you love. Grandpa wasn't just there for my childhood. He was there for every chapter of my life. Every milestone, every celebration, every challenge—he was there, quietly loving, encouraging, and believing in me. My heart is broken knowing I won't hear his laugh again or see that smile that could light up any room. It's bittersweet knowing his suffering has finally come to an end, but I can't help wondering... how are we supposed to do life without him? The world feels a little less bright now. I find comfort in knowing that a love like his doesn't disappear. It lives on in every memory, every lesson, every tradition, and in every one of us who were lucky enough to be loved by him. Thank you, Grandpa, for giving me a childhood filled with love, laughter, adventure, and memories I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Thank you for showing me what unconditional love looks like. Until we meet again. Rest peacefully, Grandpa. Love always, Sarah

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Ken Watt posted a condolence

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Just about three weeks ago, I said my final goodbye to my father-in-law, Doug Severn. I still vividly remember the very first time we met, it was the summer of 1986. I am absolutely certain it was a day Doug never forgot. Karen and I had been dating for some time, and I had already spent some time up at the family ski chalet at their private club. I had heard a lot about her dad. He was highly successful, and he was definitely the boss of the family. That day, Karen and I drove to their house in Bristol Pond Estates to tell them we planned to be married. At that time, Doug and Rose Marie owned two or three successful businesses, and this was, without a doubt, the nicest house I had ever stepped foot in. Now, you have to picture me at the time. I was a site worker with a road construction crew. I am sure that in Doug’s eyes, I was not even close to the person he had envisioned his oldest daughter spending the rest of her life with. I don’t remember it this way, but I have been reliably reminded many times over the years that I was wearing a t-shirt and cut-off jean shorts. We may have even been driving my work truck. I would like to take this opportunity today to formally apologize to both Doug and Rose Marie for all the sleepless nights that first meeting must have caused them. Although I walked out thinking the meeting went well, over the next few days, I quickly realized it hadn't gone quite as well as I thought. But despite that incredibly rough start, we did get married. We went on to have three beautiful children: Sarah, Katie, and Gordon. And I know for a fact that Doug loved all three of them more than anyone could possibly imagine. Doug and Rose Marie played an enormous part in our daily lives. They took the kids on countless adventures. As the years passed, our children grew and gave us grandkids: Ella Rose, Marcus, Nathan, and Gordie. Doug’s first four great-grandchildren. For years, Doug and Rose Marie would come to our house for dinner almost every single Sunday. They would sit and listen to all the family stories from the week that had passed. Over the last 39-plus years, neither of them ever missed a milestone. Every Christmas, thanksgiving, every birthday party for every grandkid and great-grandkid, they were there for the dinner, the cake, the presents, the whole bit. I don't think they ever missed a single one. Recently, my oldest daughter Sarah spent hours sorting through boxes and boxes of old family pictures. Looking through them brought back amazing memories for all of us. Doug and I were a lot alike in one way: we both liked to have things our own way. Because of that, we didn’t always see eye-to-eye. But looking back now over the last 40 years, so much of the advice Doug tried to give me back then truly makes a lot of sense today. Doug was the one who introduced me to investing in the stock market. He loved talking about his latest stock finds, both successes and failures. He taught me how to take risks, and equally importantly, how to manage those risks. Doug, I want to thank you today for that education. It was a massive part of our family's success. But through all of this, there is no doubt that Rose Marie was the absolute centre of Doug’s life. When we went to visit him in the hospital, there were many times he didn’t speak much. But whenever he did open his mouth, he would always look at Karen and ask: "Where is your mother? Is she okay?" Seventy years of marriage. It is absolutely unbelievable, and a beautiful testament to commitment. Doug, I want to thank you today for the greatest gift any man could ever ask for: my wife, Karen. Without you and Rose Marie, we wouldn’t have the amazing family I am looking at today. We will truly miss you. With all our love …… your son-in-law, and our amazing family.

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Sarah Dinis Posted Jul 30, 2026 at 3:02 PM

♡♡

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Andrea Beal posted a condolence

Saturday, July 25, 2026

To Rose Mary and family: I was so sorry to hear about Doug's passing. I will always treasure the times we spent together at "TheBean" sharing stories along with lunch and coffees. It will not be the same without him. Andrea Beal

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Sarah Dinis Posted Jul 30, 2026 at 3:03 PM

Thank you for your kind words Andrea

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Michael Humphreys posted a condolence

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Today I lost one of my earliest mentors. Doug Severn passed away at the age of 90. Doug lived a remarkable and adventurous life, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have known him. Looking back, I realize how much of the person I became was influenced by the lessons he taught me. Doug and Rose Marie Severn lived next door to us when I was growing up. One day, Doug stopped by to discuss business with my father. During their conversation, he mentioned how frustrated he was that some of his employees weren’t showing up for work on time. Without thinking, I asked, “Can I come work for you?” My father and Doug laughed. After all, I was only nine years old. Doug looked at me and said, “If you want to work for me, be at my van tomorrow morning at 8:00.” The next morning, I was standing beside his van at 7:55, ready to go. We drove to his shop at 293 Lesmill Road. He handed me a broom, pointed to an area of the shop, and said, “Sweep the floor. Do the best job you can. I want every nook and cranny clean.” He showed me where he’d be working across the parking lot and told me to come get him when I was finished. A few minutes later, feeling pretty proud of myself, I went to tell him I was done. He came back, looked at my work, and let me know—in no uncertain terms—that I had not done a very good job. At nine years old, I was shocked. Then he picked up the broom and showed me what doing the job properly really meant. He swept every corner, every crack, every nook and cranny. The pile of dirt he collected was four or five times larger than mine. He handed me the broom and calmly said something I’ve never forgotten: “If you ever want to know whether someone is going to do a good job, have them sweep the floor.” Then he added, “Now sweep the rest of the shop.” It took me the rest of the day. That simple lesson has stayed with me for more than 50 years. To this day, I still believe you can tell a lot about a person by how they approach the little jobs. At first, I only worked for Doug once a month. As the years went by, I worked more often. Blair and I would clean and restock the service vans with mechanisms, casters, sockets, hardware, and every little part needed to repair office furniture. By the time I was 12, I knew those parts inside and out and was going to job sites repairing chairs and file cabinets. It was greasy, dirty work, but it taught me how things worked and the value of taking pride in every repair. I worked for Doug for nearly 10 years. After high school, I stayed on full-time as a service technician. Doug gave me much more than a job. Blair and I became close friends, and our families spent many great times together skiing and enjoying summers at their cottage on Morrison Lake in Gravenhurst. Doug opened doors that I never would have experienced on my own. He introduced me to dryland training with the Can-Am ski team. His oldest daughter, Karen, became one of my coaches. Later, Blair and I attended summer ski camp in British Columbia, where we had the privilege of training alongside Nancy Greene, Toni Sailer, and Wayne Wong. Those were experiences I’ll never forget. As the years passed, I watched Doug build a business that others admired. If you looked through the Yellow Pages back then, you would find many companies started by people who had once worked for Doug. They had learned from him and wanted to build something of their own. That says everything about the kind of leader and mentor he was. Doug worked hard, expected excellence, embraced adventure, and wasn’t afraid to try something new. He taught by example, and his lessons reached far beyond repairing office furniture. Much of the work ethic, attention to detail, and pride I carry today began with a broom in Doug Severn’s shop. My heartfelt condolences go out to Rose Marie, Karen, Deborah, Blair, and the entire Severn family. Thank you, Doug, for taking a chance on a nine-year-old kid. Thank you for the lessons, the opportunities, the adventures, and the lifelong memories. Rest in peace, my friend. Your legacy lives on in all of us whose lives you helped shape.

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Sarah Dinis Posted Jul 30, 2026 at 3:01 PM

Really enjoyed reading this Michael.

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The family of Douglas Gordon Severn uploaded a photo

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Douglas Gordon Severn

1936 - 2026