Obituary for Douglas Tribe
With great sadness, the family of Robert “Doug” Tribe announce the passing of a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and proud Atikokanite on November 6th 2022 at the age of 88.
Doug was born February 18th, 1934 in Emo to his parents, William Tribe and Jeannie Morrison. Doug moved to Atikokan to work at the Canadian National Railway, where he rented a room at Burke’s rooming house and happened upon this ‘lovely blonde beauty,’ named Loraine who became his loving wife for 61 years. Shortly after their marriage they moved to “Skunk Hollow” at Steep Rock where they started their family.
Doug worked in many places around Atikokan over the years, working on the dredging crew that preceded Steep Rock Mine, with Atikokan Hydro and with the CNR. He went on to work at the Little Falls Golf and Curling club where he really enjoyed himself and became known as the “Iceman.” He then partnered with his brother, Moe and Ev Tribe co-owning Errington Hall where he spent several years running the bowling alley and bartending at the Union Pub. Doug was a natural centre of attention and enjoyed chatting with the patrons and socializing with the families at the business and wherever he went. Doug also enjoyed his garden, growing many of his annual flowers and plants by seed. Together, he and Loraine would spend their summers tending to and enjoying their backyard oasis. He felt honoured when his and Loraine’s love for flowers and gardening resulted in being part of the garden tour several years ago.
Doug, in some ways, helped raise several generations of Atikokan kids. When his boys, Brad and Gord, were young, he was a hockey coach, supportive curling Dad, and a scout leader who led a group of Venturers from Dog Lake to Thunder Bay to celebrate the opening of Old Fort William which the Queen attended. As his grandchildren grew he was a fixture running the Errington Bowling Lanes, and a proud supporter of Atikokan Minor Hockey. He was also a community fixture for many years, as a Kiwanis Club member and President, as well as serving on the executive of the golf and curling clubs in town. In recent years, one could say he was also a fixture around town on his scooter running the roads, doing errands for Loraine, as well as making his rounds to local businesses for his ice cream fix, lottery ticket or a coffee to catch up with friends. After Loraine’s passing, Doug proudly moved into the new Aspen Court apartments where he thrived being around friends and back to that social space that he loved.
Thank you to all of the community who made each of his days special – so many of you helped him, “being his eyes” when he was shopping as well as sharing jokes, stories and memories with him through the years, especially at the reunion this summer which he enjoyed ever so much.
Doug is survived by his children, Bradley (Brigitte) and Gordon (Melanie), his grandchildren, Lauren (Matt), Philip (Lisa), Patricia (Jeff), Richard (Jessika), and Robert, his great grandchildren Mason, Anneliese, Ruby, Isabella, and Roland, his brother, Moe Tribe, sister in law Eleonor and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by the love of his life, Loraine, his parents, William and Jeannie, his siblings, Gordona (Raoul) Cayer, Jeannie (Irwin) Morphet, Ed Tribe and sister in laws, Arline (Jim) Bull and Ev Tribe.
A celebration of Life for Doug will be held on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 pm at Riverview United Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Atikokan General Hospital, Riverview United Church, CNIB or a charity of your choice.
Doug was born February 18th, 1934 in Emo to his parents, William Tribe and Jeannie Morrison. Doug moved to Atikokan to work at the Canadian National Railway, where he rented a room at Burke’s rooming house and happened upon this ‘lovely blonde beauty,’ named Loraine who became his loving wife for 61 years. Shortly after their marriage they moved to “Skunk Hollow” at Steep Rock where they started their family.
Doug worked in many places around Atikokan over the years, working on the dredging crew that preceded Steep Rock Mine, with Atikokan Hydro and with the CNR. He went on to work at the Little Falls Golf and Curling club where he really enjoyed himself and became known as the “Iceman.” He then partnered with his brother, Moe and Ev Tribe co-owning Errington Hall where he spent several years running the bowling alley and bartending at the Union Pub. Doug was a natural centre of attention and enjoyed chatting with the patrons and socializing with the families at the business and wherever he went. Doug also enjoyed his garden, growing many of his annual flowers and plants by seed. Together, he and Loraine would spend their summers tending to and enjoying their backyard oasis. He felt honoured when his and Loraine’s love for flowers and gardening resulted in being part of the garden tour several years ago.
Doug, in some ways, helped raise several generations of Atikokan kids. When his boys, Brad and Gord, were young, he was a hockey coach, supportive curling Dad, and a scout leader who led a group of Venturers from Dog Lake to Thunder Bay to celebrate the opening of Old Fort William which the Queen attended. As his grandchildren grew he was a fixture running the Errington Bowling Lanes, and a proud supporter of Atikokan Minor Hockey. He was also a community fixture for many years, as a Kiwanis Club member and President, as well as serving on the executive of the golf and curling clubs in town. In recent years, one could say he was also a fixture around town on his scooter running the roads, doing errands for Loraine, as well as making his rounds to local businesses for his ice cream fix, lottery ticket or a coffee to catch up with friends. After Loraine’s passing, Doug proudly moved into the new Aspen Court apartments where he thrived being around friends and back to that social space that he loved.
Thank you to all of the community who made each of his days special – so many of you helped him, “being his eyes” when he was shopping as well as sharing jokes, stories and memories with him through the years, especially at the reunion this summer which he enjoyed ever so much.
Doug is survived by his children, Bradley (Brigitte) and Gordon (Melanie), his grandchildren, Lauren (Matt), Philip (Lisa), Patricia (Jeff), Richard (Jessika), and Robert, his great grandchildren Mason, Anneliese, Ruby, Isabella, and Roland, his brother, Moe Tribe, sister in law Eleonor and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by the love of his life, Loraine, his parents, William and Jeannie, his siblings, Gordona (Raoul) Cayer, Jeannie (Irwin) Morphet, Ed Tribe and sister in laws, Arline (Jim) Bull and Ev Tribe.
A celebration of Life for Doug will be held on Saturday, November 19 at 1:00 pm at Riverview United Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Atikokan General Hospital, Riverview United Church, CNIB or a charity of your choice.