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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
DRYSDALE, Douglas Edward David - The family have chosen this music to commemorate their loved one.
It is with an extremely deep sense of loss and heavy hearts that the family of Douglas Edward David Drysdale, LCdr (Ret), 79, of Riverport, share the news of his passing at home on Friday, January 2, 2026, with his wife Beverley by his side.
Doug was born in Brampton, Ontario, the eldest son of the late Gordon David Cameron Edward and Mazie Marjorie Emily Isabel.
He leaves behind his loving wife Bev and sons Steven (Cynthia), Victoria BC and Peter in Thailand; Very proud grandfather to Jena (Mike) Chester, Port Moody, BC, Joel Drysdale, Ottawa, ON, Izzy, Edmonton AB, and Sean Drysdale, Victoria BC and his brothers, Danny (Janice), Head of Chezzetcook, Don (Bev), Owen Sound, ON, special Sister in Law Susan Calabrese (Dan) Alcoa, TN; as well as several adoring nieces and nephews.
Born March 15th Doug grew up in Brampton and graduated from Brampton High School in 1963, joining the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) that September. That saw him join a class of lifelong friends at HMCS Venture, Esquimalt BC, graduating as an Acting Sub-Lieutenant in 1965. His career saw him on many ships (HMCS’s Cape Scott, Bonaventure, Skeena, Yukon, Huron) as ATC, watch-keeper, deck officer, weapons officer, and at shore (Ottawa and Halifax) and overseas postings to HMS Dryad, UK and Norfolk, Virginia, USA as a highly valued instructor. Doug was also posted to Bahrain in during the First Gulf War (1991), and as part of the Peacekeeping contingent in Sihanoukville, Cambodia (1993) Doug finished his 33-year military career as an instructor at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, and not one to slip easily into retirement he returned there as a civilian instructor.
In 2005 Doug, as ever striving to make the world better wherever he could, spent a year in Sri Lanka with the Canadian Red Cross as the logistics officer and coordinator, aiding local Red Cross units with their capacity building and operations. He followed this with 18 months investigating atrocities in Southern Sudan. After 3 years of contracts instructing NATO officers in Norway, he finally decided to head into retirement full time.
This wasn’t the end of Doug’s adventurous life as he an Beverly embraced cruising, combining his thirst to travel with love of the sea, as well as becoming a beloved volunteer of many hats within the Lower LaHave/Riverport community with the Lions Club and V.O.N. and anywhere else he could lend a hand.
In keeping with Doug’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be a Celebration of his life at the Riverport Firehall on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. to share a toast and many stories on a life well lived when all his family can be home.
Arrangements entrusted to Personal Care Cremations and Memorial Services.
The family ask that donations be made to Smile Canada or the VON of Lunenburg County in Doug’s memory. Two charities close to his heart.
Ships served in: HMS DRYAD NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, USA
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