PROKOPEC, Douglas Donald

Surrounded by family, Douglas (Doug) Prokopec passed away in Fergus, Ont. on May 7, 2026 at the age of 90. Beloved husband of the late Mary Prokopec (nee Midghall) and dear father of Marianne and Michael (Karen). Grandfather to Sebastien, Nicholas, Jack and Charlotte. Doug was born and grew up in Sarnia, Ont., with siblings Irene, Ted and Nancy. He was a boisterous child, often raising the ire of his mother, Toni, (Antonina Sawicka). Early in his life, Doug experienced something most children could only dream about. He arrived at the breakfast table one weekday morning, only to be told that his school had burned down overnight. He went to the home of his best buddy, Peter Kulich, and together they rushed to observe the horror that had occurred. Luckily things were not as bad as they had anticipated. The baseball bat they left in a closet the night before was just fine. Doug began his working life under the watchful eye of his father Michael, a successful entrepreneur who owned many businesses in Sarnia. Doug was especially fond of the time he spent at the Crystal Grill with his father who he adored. Doug’s favourite job though was as an usher at a movie theatre in Sarnia. There he cultivated his love of movies, a trait shared by his children. He also had a sentimental side. Years later, he retrieved the office chair his Dad used at the restaurant and put it in his workshop. He would often sit in the chair and have a beer while listening to the music he grew up with. In the 1950s, Doug attended the University of Western Ontario, and later, teacher’s college at the University of Toronto. In early 1962, Doug went on a blind date with Mary Jane Midghall, a beautiful woman who would become the love of his life. The courtship was brief as they married later that same year. Their first child, Marianne, arrived in 1963 and Michael followed soon after. Doug had started his successful teaching career in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood where he worked at nearby Neil NcNeil High School. Years later he recalled teaching a shy, quiet fellow named John Candy. One of Doug’s great ambitions was for his family to see and experience new places. From Toronto, the family moved to Peterborough then bought a house on nearby Chemong Lake where he enjoyed fishing and sitting by the water. Mary also enjoyed sitting by the water but wasn’t so keen on the fishing part though she was happy to prepare freshly caught pickerel. Doug’s wanderlust kicked in again a few years later and this time the young family moved east to Prince Edward Island. Doug and Mary gave their children the opportunity to live by the water again with great access to the outdoors. The near decade the family spent on the island Doug recalled as the happiest years of his life. Doug and Mary made many close friends at Holland College and in their neighbourhood. He also completed a long-distance Master’s degree through a university in Halifax. In 1980, the Prokopecs hit the road again and moved to Waterloo, Ont. as Doug brought his skills to Conestoga College. After retiring, and with the kids long out of the house, Doug and Mary settled on Belwood Lake, remaining in the area until their passing. Doug had a wicked sense of humour that he passed down to his kids, with the grandchildren following suit. In his later years, he became caregiver for Mary during her long battle with Alzheimer’s. After Mary’s passing in 2016, Doug rekindled a friendship with an old colleague, Lenore. He felt fortunate to have been able to experience love for a second time, which helped sustain him to the end. Doug chose to leave this world with the assistance of the MAiD program. With his children and beloved brother Ted by his side, his last words were, ‘this is good.’ Doug spent his last few years at Heritage River Retirement Residence. The family thanks the staff and residents there for their support and friendship. We also thank the many doctors, nurses and PSWs at Groves Community Hospital for their compassion and care during his final days. We love you Dad, and will celebrate your life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family. 

www.grahamgiddyfh.com