Obituary: Bob (Robert) Douglas

Bob passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, at Rylands Nursing Home after an illness that was borne with great courage and dignity.

He had a long and full life and was a gentleman who touched, enriched and blessed the lives of all who were privileged to have known him.

He was born at Loughconnolly, on January 15, 1916, one of five children and when he was older chose to work as a builder’s labourer.

During his working life he served his time with Sammy Turtle, Martin & Hamilton and Jardine & McDowell.

He was a grafter, a real hard worker who took pride in what he did and he worked at Graham’s farm in the evenings.

Bob was a father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend who all have happy and lasting memories of him.

He was married to Maggie who sadly passed away in 1981 on the day he retired, and they had eight sons and four daughters - Billy, Ian, Norman, Tommy, Mervyn, Boyd, Alex, Sally, Carol and Kathleen, and also the late Martha and Robert.

He has left behind more generations as he had 21 grand children and 38 great grandchildren. His brother, Tommy, emigrated to New Zealand in 1948.

Bob had a great love for Scottish music and pipe bands and he listened to his favourite programme, ‘Take the floor with Robbie Shepherd’, on the radio every Saturday night. He also had a keen interest in football and supported Rangers.

When asked by someone ‘have you ever seen them play on tv?’, he replied: “They play better on the radio!” . He was also a loyal supporter of Liverpool.

In his later years, he met up with two friends and they would have walked the roads together; they were known throughout the village as ‘Last of the Summer Wine’.

He was one of the longest residents in Rylands Nursing Home as he was there for over 13 years.

Bob loved his Church and was the first there every Sunday for worship at St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland, Broughshane where he was the oldest member of the congregation.

When his health deteriorated, he was still very much included by the minister, Dean JFA Bond, as he was a regular visitor and shared worship with him.

Bob was always willing to help and encourage those around him and their lives are richer and fuller for having known him. Even when his health diminished near the end of his life, he still managed to keep smiling. Bob, who was laid to rest in the graveyard of his beloved St Patrick’s Church on November 10 following his packed funeral, will be sadly missed by all the Douglas family circle and, indeed, by all who knew him.