John Douglas (Doug) Crane died peacefully in Toronto on April 13, 2024, surrounded by his sons and eldest granddaughter.

Doug is survived by his second wife, Susan Davies. Doug leaves behind his four sons, Chris (Caroline), Jeff (Sarah), Jason (Brandie) and Mark (Caroline), as well as his seven grandchildren, Melissa, Sean, Emma, Rylie, Boden, Charlie, Sam and William. Doug also leaves behind his nephew, Bill (Lillian), and nieces, Andrea (Ed) and Debbie, as well as his first wife, Fern. Doug is predeceased by his parents, Andrew and Emily, and his sisters, Bernice (George) and Joanie.

Doug was born and raised in Sioux Lookout, Ontario and he was proud of his northwestern Ontario roots. Doug’s father, Andrew, moved to Sioux Lookout after fighting in the First World War. Andrew did tours of service in France and Belgium with the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a member of the Simcoe Foresters Regiment. Andrew fought in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917 as well as the Battle of Arras in 1918, where he was wounded and evacuated to return to Canada. Doug was immensely proud of Andrew’s military service to Canada, and he held a deep appreciation for those that served their country.

After returning from the war, Andrew found employment with CN Rail as a conductor, and he married Emily. The modest and hardworking roots that Doug was exposed to while being raised in Sioux Lookout helped to shape the man that he would later become.

Doug was a gifted hockey player. He played varsity hockey for the University of Manitoba while studying for his Bachelor of Arts, and prior to that for the Port Arthur Bruins, which at the time was a farm team for the Boston Bruins.

Thereafter, Doug attended law school at Osgoode Hall, and he was called to the Bar in 1963. He practiced law for over 50 years in Toronto, and he enjoyed a distinguished career as a certified specialist in both criminal and civil litigation. Doug started his career with the late Arthur Maloney, and he was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1975. Doug argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, amongst many other courts, and he was a skilled and respected advocate. Over the years, Doug also served leadership roles within the legal profession, including as Bencher of the Law Society of Upper Canada and as President of the Lawyers Club of Toronto.

Together with Fern, Doug raised four boys in Toronto, and he was an involved father. He coached each of his son’s hockey teams when they were young, and he rarely missed watching his sons play hockey and other sports while they grew up. Doug also took pride in providing privileges in life to his sons that were not available to him when he was growing up. He taught his sons to be humble, respectful and hard working. Doug had a strong moral compass and he served as an inspiration that one can achieve great things with dedication and a common touch.

Doug had a fascinating personality. Within his profession he was tenacious, opinionated and strong willed. But he was also compassionate, and he had a charming personality with a witty (and repetitive) sense of humour. Doug had the ability to build rapport with just about anyone from all walks of life and he took great pleasure in advocating on behalf of an underdog.

Doug loved his workouts and the camaraderie he found while at the Cambridge Club, spending time at his cottage in Sioux Lookout, and reading about the First Word War, the railway, and the law. He was a beauty.

You raised us well Dad. We are proud of you, and we will miss you.

A funeral will be held on Friday April 19 at 3 PM at Turner & Porter “Yorke Chapel” located at 2357 Bloor Street W., Toronto.