Douglas Ervin Trombley

Doug lived his life on his terms, in the moment and not in the past. He met every challenge realistically and with the strength of character that reflected his stoic and quiet personality which contrasted with his quit wit, warped sense of humour and the precisely timed eruption of a big grin. His cup of life was neither half full nor half empty but was always refillable.

Born in Oliver, B.C. in 1962 Doug spent his youth in the Okanagan exploring the back roads in his favourite truck of the day, camping and fishing, He enjoyed activities that required him to develop the ability to precisely position projectiles on target. Whether it was darts, bowling, trap shooting, archery or precision marksmanship with a rifle or a pistol, Doug was passionate about learning how to improve his own skill but was also invested in assisting others to learn. At peace when in nature, on the land hunting or hiking or on the water flinging a fly rod, Doug was always respectful and appreciative of the gifts that Mother Nature offered.

After honorable discharge from the Canadian Armed Forces the need for employment diverted him from pursuing a career in forest management. Moving to Faro, Yukon he worked at Curragh Resources and then Anvil Range Mining as a driver of those humongous ore dump trucks and then as a drill operator. While in Faro he was a member of the Mine Rescue Team and served on the Faro Volunteer Fire Department and as an EMR Volunteer with Yukon Ambulance Services.

After moving to Whitehorse Doug worked part time for 20 years at Hougen’s Sports Lodge connecting the retail public with a plethora of sporting goods and sharing his knowledge about the nuts and bolts and bits and pieces of the sporting and firearms environment. He was employed for 24.99 years at Canada Post Corporation engaging with customers at the retail counter, and working hard behind the scenes to sort, re-direct, dispatch and deliver the mail.

Doug was an active member of 1CRPG Carcross Patrol for 20 plus years participating in the regular training days and several on the land and on the water exercises. Two years in a row, along with Rangers from other patrols and partner agencies, Doug travelled to the shores of the Beaufort Sea on a sovereignty patrol. Surveillance operations were set up at Komakuk Beach Shingle Point, Herschel Island, MacKenzie Bay and Hooper Island. Many other Ranger exercises provided opportunities for all patrol members to teach and learn the skills to survive in remote areas of the Yukon in all weather conditions and to always be ready to respond when required.

Fueling his lifelong passion for the shooting sports Doug served as Tintina Shooting Club President for a term or two and after relocating to Whitehorse was a Range Safety Officer with the Whitehorse Rifle & Pistol Club for 25 years.

In 2023, he had a stroke which knocked him onto his backside for a while. He was working hard to regain his functionality and physical strength when an unexpected change in his health in March 2024 resulted in a diagnosis of aggressive and rapidly metastasizing cancer. Doug opted to enter Wind River Hospice House where he was able to receive the care and pain management necessary to allow him to “cash in his chips” as close to home as he could possibly be.

With grace and dignity and in control of his destiny on Friday July 19, 2024, Douglas Ervin Trombley fought his final battle. He leaves behind his wife Nora Trombley (nee McPhaden), after 34 years of friendship and 29 years of marriage, his sister Yvette Trombley of Peachland B.C., his stepmother Tena Trombley (Jansma) of Summerland, B.C., and his mother Judith Slingsby (Hebig) of Osoyoos, B.C. The other women in his life include nieces Melissa Atkinson, Heather Hill, and Sierra Trombley and sisters-in-law Margaret McPhaden and Jeanette Trombley (nee Tamis). He was pre-deceased by his brother James Douglas Trombley in 2012, and his father Ervin James Trombley in 2018.

As Doug directed, no funeral or interment was held. Some of his cremains will be placed at Little Salmon Lake.