| Notes |
- Doug used the name Ballard when performing as a duet with his wife Pat so they wouldn't be confused with another duet also called The Billards.
Obituary:
Mr Douglas Harold Ballard (Billard), aged 62 years, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his residence on June 24th, 2001.
Born March 10, 1939 in St. John's Newfoundland, Doug entered the armed services at the early age of sixteen. From here he worked on the lake boats and then for Dupont Canada in Kingston, Ontario. Doug came home to Thunder Bay and was employed by Powell Equipment in the parts department. While here, he and his wife, Pat, gave birth to their son, Michael. Doug and his family moved to Oshawa in southern Ontario and on to Whitby where he spent most of his life working as the parts department manager at the Dominion Auto Plant.
Doug's life was consumed by his love and passion for music. He managed entertainment businesses in southern Ontario and wrote several songs, of which "Uncle Tom" and "Whistle on the River" were the most successful, being recorded and published by the Mercy Brothers. He also spent six months during the Vietnam War entertaining troops in Asia.
Doug carried on his pursuit of music in Thunder Bay, pickin' and grinnin' with the gang at the hall. Special friends Ian Stewart, Al Grey, Jim Parres and Bill Peterson wrote, played and ocmposed songs together. The music lives on.
Doug was predeceased by his father, Thomas Gordon Parker in 1969 and his brother, Thomas Billard in 1978. He is survived by his daughter Kathy Curran (Tom) Oshawa, son Michael (Toronto), mother Dorothy Parker (Thunder Bay), sister Linda Gifford (Don) Selkirk, Manitoba, brothers Tom (Fran), Joseph (Janet) and Ken Parker and a sister Sharon Ulvang (Paul), all of Thunder Bay.
Doug will be missed by his many neices, nephews and grandchildren whom he loved dearly. Doug's happiest time in life was bringing his daughter Kathy home to Whitby and a new beginning. He cherished his grandchildren Charity, David and Kadessa.
Doug says "see ya later" to the ball team and especially the gang at Classy Q's (Dean, George and Judy, Pat and Heather) and the Circle Taxi in Whitby, and Danny Boy (dog) in Thunder Bay.
A Special thank you goes to the loving and caring people of the Palliative care group in Thunder Bay who made Doug's final journey so comfortable. They are Dr. Davis (Spence Clinic), Ann McGoey, Judy Wright and Joanna (VON), Jackie McDonald (Homecare) and Janet Haycock (Social Services).
As per Doug's wishes, cremation has taken place and the will not be a service. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, VON or the Palliative Care Group in Thunder Bay would be appreciated.
"There's a whistle on the river/And it's calling with a tune/That's very deep inside of me/And I'll be coming soon"
|
West & Park Family History
1939 - 2001 (62 years)
[1] 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
