Obituary of Doug and Anne Lindsay

James Douglas "Doug" Lindsay, D.F.C., C.D. Colonel (Ret'd), Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Armed Forces Dorothy Anne Lindsay (née Whelen) James Douglas “Doug” Lindsay and his wife Anne Lindsay (née Whelen) passed away peacefully just three weeks apart, at their home in Red Deer, AB. Anne’s passing on July 14, 2020 proved that love’s bond is strong as Doug passed away August 3, 2020. Survived by sons Graham (Terry) of Bedford, N.S. and Michael (Purnima) of Red Deer, AB, five granddaughters, three grandsons, five great granddaughters and nine great-grandsons. They together were predeceased by Doug’s parents; Percy Lindsay and Jessie Watt of Arnprior, Anne's parents; Major (Ret'd) Otis Goodwin Whelen and Bessie Gardner of Ottawa, their son Robert Lindsay, Doug’s sister Zella Moore (Bill) of Arnprior and Anne’s sister, Mary Beeman (Jack). In the early years, before Doug and Anne met, Doug enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1939 as an air gunner but was selected for pilot training. He served two years overseas as a fighter pilot and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his skill and success. In 1941 Anne enlisted in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps as a dental technician, later attaining the rank of Sergeant. It wasn’t until 1945, after Doug’s return home from his overseas duty, that he and Anne were married. Doug continued to serve in the military for 32 years which took the family to Edmonton, Bagotville, North Luffenham (England), Metz (France), Toronto, Washington D.C., Tacoma WA, and North Bay as well as to Ottawa on four separate occasions. In 1952 Doug served a six-month-long exchange posting with the U.S.A.F. in Korea, flying F-86 Sabres. He shot down and damaged several enemy aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the U.S.A. Throughout most of that period Anne was busy raising their three sons, while also managing the turmoil from their periodic relocations and fulfilling the social obligations expected of the wife of a senior military officer. However, she found time to work as a Welcome Wagon host, greeting newcomers to the rapidly growing city of Kanata, on the outskirts of Ottawa. In 1972 Doug retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and together with Anne as his business partner started a second career, as franchise holders with the Canadian Tire Corporation during its westward expansion. From 1973 until 1992 they successively owned and operated C.T.C. stores in Thompson, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and finally Red Deer. Anne was incredibly involved as a partner in the family business, with both bookkeeping and staff training responsibilities. After many years of hard work and dedication, they closed their final store and began their final career – retirement – in 1992. Wherever they were located Doug and Anne were active community members and volunteers. Both gracious and hospitable, at various times they provided room and board to young foreign curlers who had come to Canada to compete in Bonspiels as well as hosting and befriending an Australia family that participated in a teachers’ exchange in Red Deer. Doug was a member of various service organizations, particularly the Rotary Club and was also active with the Canadian Fighter Pilots Association and the Korean Veteran’s Association of Canada. All the while Anne was an active community volunteer, as well as an avid bridge player. She was a founding member of the Red Deer branch of the PEO Sisterhood and was very supportive of its efforts to advance women through education. Her PEO sisters saw her as the type of woman who set an example for the women of generations to come. Together, Doug and Anne proudly served Canada and Canadians. Following the arrival of Doug and Anne’s cremated remains from Red Deer, an interment will be held in the Lindsay family plot in Arnprior, ON, Wednesday July 28, 2021 at the Arnprior Albert Street Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. The service will be Live Webcast for family and friends that are unable to attend due to the current COVID-19 pandemic setback. To join the Live Webcast, choose the Live Webcast tab to the left of this page. For cellular devices, select the drop-down arrow at the top of this tribute page.