Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.
Nakama, Douglas
DOUGLAS ALLAN YONEO NAKAMA, of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly at home, on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the age of 70 years.
DOUGLAS ALLAN YONEO NAKAMA, of Lethbridge, passed away suddenly at home, on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the age of 70 years.
Doug is survived by his children that he had with Peggy - son Aaron (grandson Jack), son Eric (grandsons Kyler and Griffin), son Brock (Liisa and granddaughters Katriina, Hailey, and Lauren), and daughter Kari (Brad, grandson Noah, granddaughter Chloe, and youngest grandson Blake). He is also survived by his brother Ken (Maureen), sister Pam (Al), brother Cam (Denise), and sister Shawna (Rick). Doug loved his family and always made time to attend family gatherings, and bonding over sports. It's certain that his love of sports continued later in life, playing Oldtimers hockey and golfing with his buddies out at Picture Butte Golf Course. A loving big brother and protector - whether he was your brother, father, friend, grandfather, relative, teammate, or at the rink, diamonds, the golf course, or the finest skate sharpening - he will be missed by many.
A decorated athlete, Doug's sports history started with his siblings at an early age, and continued throughout his life. He had fond memories of getting hockey sticks for Christmas, going outside to play with them so much they'd end up breaking, taping them up and nailing them together so they could play throughout the rest of the winter. Doug was the winner of many first place trophies in judo, and very active in baseball (starting in 1965), football, basketball, track and field, and was awarded Athlete of the Year in 1971. His childhood interests in the ball and bat were shared with his siblings, often pretending they were in the World Series.
Doug's love of sports continued into his adult life. He was active in broomball, lacrosse, coaching his brother Cam's junior high football team, high school football, and senior women's basketball. Doug also played in the Canadian Men's Slowpitch Championships (1979), and was inducted into the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame (2001) and the Alberta Softball Hall of Fame (2002) as a member of Gotschna, a team that captured four Provincial Championships, four League Titles, and four City Championships from 1979 to 1982 and built a record of 120 wins and nine losses in their top season season.
In his professional life, Doug was widely known in hockey community as THE BEST skate sharpener in the city (while working several years at Players Bench)… and everyone knew it! Many people often commented to Brock about how he needed to get "Douggie" back into it somehow - so naturally, Brock suggested he "get a van, a skate sharpening machine, and just hang out at the rinks". While Doug didn't go for the career transition idea, the rink *was* the location where he chose to actively spend his time supporting his siblings, children and grandchildren as a coach, fan from the stands, and fixing up their sports equipment.
Blessed with the gift of gab, Doug is remembered as always being so talkative and engaging - whether at the hockey rinks, the golf course, out and about - it seemed that he always knew someone. There was even one time at the Calgary Zoo where much to Peggy, Eric, Brock and Kari's surprise - a very much younger Lanny McDonald was approaching the family and said, "Hey - Douggie!"
A Come and Go Celebration of Doug's Life will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited to 50 guests per 30 minute time slot. Kindly RSVP your attendance to Cornerstone at 403-381-7777 or care@cornerstonefh.ca
Guestbook (24)
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My friend Aaron and family. My soncere condolences on your loss. My family sends you our love and best wishes at this time. Yours, Rodrigo & family
Peggy, Pam, Marilyn and Families. We are so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. He was a wonderful person and brought smiles to our faces every time we saw him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you move through this trying time.
My condolences to Doug's family and my thoughts are with you at this time. As with many others, Doug was always kind to me and I appreciated his willingness chat every time I saw him.
Our friend Doug will be sadly missed. My heart felt condolences to the family
Doug ~ Simply one of the good guys. Rest easy friend. To all the loved family and friends of Doug, may his memory be a blessing. With sympathy and love
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I had the pleasure of golfing with Doug every weekend for the last 15 years and will miss him dearly. He was a good friend to us and our family. He will be missed by all, especially the "Coffee Boys".
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs to Doug's family & friends. He will be Missed by so many!
We were blown away when we heard that Doug had passed away. I had just seen him in Sobeys. Such a caring person. Gone way too soon.
Our sincere condolences to Dougs' immediate Family and his extended Families. As our family was in the same generation, we had known Doug for a long time. All good. Many incredible memories of his life, we know will sustain you at this very sad time of your lives. A life well lived and now those memories will live on. Our sympathy to you. Maxine Richards Jim, Tim, Jeff
Peggy, Aaron, Eric, Brock and Kari, we are so sorry to hear of Doug's sudden passing and send our heartfelt sympathies to all of you. In Dave's words, "Doug was a really good guy, great to play OT hockey with, and did he ever know how to handle that puck!" We will remember him for the kind and friendly man he was.
Will be missed by many but always remembered so fondly for all he did.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Doug was such a kind person and always full of insight.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Doug's family and friends. Our condolences to everyone.
My deepest Sympathy to all of Doug's family and dear friends.
Nakama Families: We are so sorry for your loss. Doug was always so kind and caring to our Family. We pray your wonderful memories give you comfort during this very difficult time. Sending our love and hugs.
Condolences to Doug's family, so sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a wonderful person, athlete and friend. Always a smile on his face and time to chat. He will be dearly missed. He will always be on your minds and forever in your hearts. Thank you Doug for being the person and friend you were.. You will always be remembered.
My heartfelt condolences to the whole family. May you find strength in each other and in the memories of your dad.
Peggy and family, we are so sorry for your lose, Our prayers are with you all.
Dougie was one of a kind, so sorry for your loss!
So saddened to hear of Doug's passing. He was one of the good ones. The Ebony Hawks Lacrosse Club alumni continues to grow smaller. Will miss him on the golf course.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Nakama. My condolences to Eric and all the Nakama family.
Jill and I are so terribly saddened to learn of Doug's passing. Our hearts ache for such a wonderful family. Doug's smile and caring attitude towards our family was so evident, you knew he always had your best interests at heart. He was a genuine "Good Guy" a pleasure to always be around and an honour to know. Our heartfelt condolences to the entire Nakama family
We are truly heartbroken to hear of Doug's passing. Thinking of you all