Doug Gardiner

Doug Gardiner became part of our family in 1974 when he began dating our sister Barbara Ellis; they were married in October 1977. From the very beginning, Doug played an important role in maintaining and improving our family cabins and property. Whenever there was hard work to be done, he was always there to do it. We miss him every day, and we always ask in situations, “What would Doug do?“

Doug had a natural talent for building and took great pride in creating, repairing, and improving whatever was needed. His dedication, practical skills, and generous spirit left a lasting mark on the property, evident to this day. Over the years, he completed countless projects, making it difficult to remember everything he built or repaired at the lake.

Outside of family life, Doug devoted many years of service to the Saanich Fire Department, where he rose through the ranks to become a Training Fire Chief and then on to Fire Chief in both Kelowna West Shore and Nanaimo, BC. His commitment to serving his community reflected the same qualities he brought to our family—leadership, reliability, and a willingness to help others. Doug’s contributions to our family and the Shawnigan Lake property have been invaluable, and his hard work and craftsmanship continue to be appreciated by everyone who enjoys the cabins today.