Douglas Best, 97, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2017. He is survived by Audrey his wife of 66 years, daughter Kathleen (David) Clark, daughter Karen Best, grandchildren Kelly and Anthony Clark. He is also survived by brothers (Lefty) Kenneth (Margaret) Best, Dennis Best, sisters Joyce Kotchonoski, Elizabeth (Barry) Darby, sister-in-laws Sandra Best and Dorothy Patty, and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by, daughter Linda Best, grandson Jeffrey Clark, parents John and Elizabeth Best, sisters Kathleen Best, Barbara Freethy, Dorothy Tyacke, Margaret Best, brother Robert Best, nephew David Freethy. Doug grew up in Somme, Saskatchewan, was in the first class at Souchez School. He had fond memories of life on the farm. At 18, he drove the family out to Nanaimo in a Model A Ford after their house burnt down. In Nanaimo he attended Dominion Provincial Youth Training -Automotive Class, specialized in Electrical Engineering. During the Second World War he was stationed in England with the RCAF. Doug held various jobs within the forest industry, tree planting, falling and surveying in the early years. Then working as a forester for MacMillan Bloedel Limited at various divisions, but primarily at Northwest Bay Division until his retirement in 1982. He liked to tinker and was responsible for several inventions used in the forest industry. He could recite the “Cremation of Sam McGee” and the “Shooting of Dan McGrew”. Robert Service was his favourite poet. His daughters will remember him telling them to, “Come home when the crows start to roost”, and if they were having a problem with getting something to work, he would always step in and help, saying, “Let Dada do it”. He loved lake fishing and would often go with his brother Bob (who was born with a rod in his hand) on extended fishing/camping trips. He could hold his breath and swim under water for an extremely long time, much to the consternation of people sitting on the beach. He would have been 98 in August. He always said that the crickets chirping towards the end of August always marked the ending of summer for him. When you hear the crickets singing next month could you think of Doug. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in memory of Douglas to a charity of your choice. A family gathering will be held at a later date.