Obituary of Doug Martin

Please join us for a celebration of life in honour of Douglas Martin

Service to be held at:

Fort Steele Heritage Town Railway Station

9851 BC-95, Fort Steele, BC V0B 1N0

June 10, 2023 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

The family of Douglas (Doug) Martin is saddened to announce his passing on February 14, 2023 in Kelowna, BC.

Doug was born in Beaverlodge, AB where he completed high school and was a member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, serving as Staff Sargent.  After graduation, he moved to Castlegar, BC to begin his post-secondary education which was then completed at the University of Victoria where he graduated with a B.SC. in Biology.

Doug was employed as a Senior Habitat Biologist with the British Columbia Ministry of Environment for over 40 years before his retirement in 2017. He had a long record of passionate advocacy for protection and preservation of wildlife habitat in the Kootenays and in 2005 he was presented with the Ecosystem Officer of the Year award. He loved his job and formed strong, life-long friendships with many of his coworkers.

He was a founding member of the BC chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, a conservation organization which focuses on policy and action to allow wildlife to flourish in the area.

He was also an avid volunteer and Board Member at Fort Steele Heritage Town with a particular fondness for the 1077 Steam Engine and railway program. His dedication over several decades earned him a lifetime membership.

In November 2022, Doug was diagnosed with Central Nervous System lymphoma and spent the last 3 months in Kelowna battling the disease.

Doug is survived by his wife Bernadette Martin, daughter Lauren (Peter) Wares, son Samuel Martin, and his two beloved grandchildren Evelyn Wares and George Wares. He also leaves to mourn his brothers Peter (Eileen) Martin and James (Eleanor) Martin, sisters Jansi (Bill) Jones and Sarah (Terry) Freeman, and many nieces and nephews. Doug was predeceased by his parents Samuel and Margaret (Peggy) Martin, brother George (Geordie) Martin, and sister in law Karen Wagner.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fort Steele Heritage Town Railway.