Obituary of Douglas James Fox

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas James Fox on October 16, 2024, at Trillium Long-term Care Home in Kingston.  He is survived and lovingly remembered by his children, Carol (David) and Malcolm; his grandchild, Fiona (Scott); the children of his late wife, Barbara: Curtis (Jane), Amanda (Geoffrey), Melissa (Jim), and Jennifer (Ross); and Barbara’s many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his parents, his son Gordon, his brother Alex and Alex’s sons, his first wife Anne, and his wife Barbara.

 

Douglas was born on June 6, 1930 in Toronto to Agnes Beattie Fox (née Ierland) and James Alexander Fox, both from Scotland.  After three years in Canada, Douglas and his family returned to Scotland, settling in Glasgow until he was 17.  They then moved back to Toronto.  In 1952, Douglas met Anne Ross, and they married two years later at Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto.  At that time, Douglas was a theological student at Knox College, University of Toronto.  Education played a significant role in Douglas’s life; he pursued academic studies at U of T for over 20 years, culminating in a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies in 1975.  During this period of study, Douglas and Anne raised a family while living in various cities (Vancouver, Vankleek Hill, Wick, Toronto, Oakville and Peterborough), where Douglas often served as a Presbyterian minister.

 

In 1976, Douglas embarked on a new career as a Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at Huron College, University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.  Four years later, he married Gail Stitt. They settled in London and later moved to St. John’s, Newfoundland, where Douglas was Professor and Dean of Theology at Queen’s College, Memorial University. 

 

Although Douglas retired from full-time employment in 1993, he continued to work as an adjunct lecturer and interim priest-in-charge of various Anglican parishes in Ontario until he was 90.  While living in Toronto and serving at St. Barnabas Church, Douglas met Barbara Hazel, and they married in 1999 at the same church.  Together, Douglas and Barbara enjoyed live theatre, music, travel, and spending their twilight years with family and friends in Toronto, Sault Ste. Marie, and Kingston.

 

Douglas lived a long, rich, and varied life. He touched many lives and was equally touched by them.  He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

 

A Funeral Service for Douglas and Barbara will be held at St. George’s Cathedral (270 King St. E.) on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 11:00am.  Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lunch by George.