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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
MYRA, Douglas J.D. - After a heroic battle with heart disease, Douglas James Daniel Myra left our loving arms and rode off into the sunset on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Doug was the son of the late Clayton Rosewell Myra and Marjorie Myra (Warren) and was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie "Midge" Myra (Eisner). He will forever be missed by his children, Kymbralee, Nicole and Jody Myra (Nancy); his grandchildren, Destani, Caelan, Hana, Kristina, and Bradley; sister, Donna (Brian) Myra-Wong; brother-in-law, Dwight (Sharron) Eisner; nieces, Elana Richter, Joanne Richter-Garrard and Melanie Richter-McComb, and his long-time friend, Janet Patterson.
Born in Wolfville on July 21, 1936, Doug spent most of his childhood in Kentville, Nova Scotia. He was an accomplished musician who began his love of music at age 10 when he played his first bugle in the Kings County Academy School Band. His interest in brass instruments continued, as he played his first trombone in the Kentville Fireman Band at age 14. In 1951, Doug joined the West Nova Scotia Army Reserve and three years later left to serve in the Navy. In 1954, Doug fell in love with his soul mate, Marjorie "Midge" Myra and they married in 1957. Doug left the Navy in 1964 after a serious injury at sea.
As a Civilian, he accepted a sales position with the Quaker Oats Company. In June 1967, Doug and Midge moved with their daughters to Digby and built and operated the Kingfisher Motel, just months before welcoming a baby boy into their home. During the Kingfisher years they were very active in the community and developed lifetime friendships which grew with the memorable Coffee Club at the Kingfisher Restaurant. Over the next 20 years they expanded their business which included the addition of a stable so Doug could finally fulfill his dream of owning horses and being a 'real cowboy', which he was at heart from a very young age. As a child, Doug spent many Saturdays at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Kentville watching western matinees. He and his friends would sneak in their cap guns so at the end of the movie when the heroes won the showdown and rode off into the sunset shooting guns in the air, Doug and his friends would then shoot their cap guns in celebration and run out before they were caught. Until his last days, Doug kept a cap gun beside his chair and occasionally fired it while watching western movies, just to smell the caps in the air and slip back into his wonderful childhood memories.
In 1986, Midge and Doug sold the motel and moved to Bedford. After one year of retirement, Doug accepted a position with Loomis Armoured Car Service where he was promoted to Atlantic Sales Manager. Also, during that time, he broadened his experiences in modeling and acting. In the early 90s, he continued with print and television advertisements and was cast in 19 movies including Journey into Darkness (The Bruce Curtis Story) and Justice Denied (The Donald Marshall Jr. Story). When Midge became ill in 1996, Doug lovingly cared for and was beside her 24/7 until she was admitted into a nursing home. For the next two years, he visited her every day with the exception of one, to ensure that she wasn't alone until the end of their life together. After her passing, Doug emersed himself in music, playing in concerts and jazz festivals. Over his lifetime, Doug had the honour of performing in 38 bands including The Tuesday Night Showband, Halifax Symphony Orchestra, Jack Kanes Toronto Orchestra, Joe Skowronski Orchestra, John Manders Dixie and German bands.
From an early age, Doug was known as a rebel, marching in the Five Cent Chocolate Bar Protest at age 9; later relating his experience in the film documentary "THE FIVE CENT WAR". Although Doug was given a life expectancy of five years with his failing heart, that inner rebel gave him the strength to live an additional 24 years. It was a courageous battle for Doug the past 18 months, but he continued to enjoy the little things: his monthly Cowboy, Gun and Horse magazines from the Atlantic Newstand, and writing letters to The Chronicle Herald and to Cindy Day's "Weather by Day".
Sadly, it was only six months prior to Doug's death that he finally had to place his trombone on its stand to rest. Now it is his turn. Rest peacefully precious Papa. Happy trails....until we meet again.
The family would like to thank the Victoria General Palliative Care Team for their compassion and efforts to meet Doug's wishes. Special thank you to QEII Student Nurse, Iman, who was so kind while caring for our Dad. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Integrity's Haven Equine (Animal) Rescue Centre, Chester Basin, N.S.; Rocking Horse Ranch, Baddeck, N.S.; or any animal rescue/charity of your choice.
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