DOUGLAS EMERSON SHUTE

Doug Shute, born July 2, 1938, passed away unexpectedly on May 21, 2005.
Doug was born in La Vallee, Ont. to Mary (Kosonic) and Clifford Shute, and then raised in Rainy River, Ont. until moving to Fort Frances, Ont. with his mother and step-father, Bill Tremblay, in 1954.
Doug had a particular fondness for Rainy River and spoke of it often.
Doug and his brother, Gord, and sister, Joan, were extremely close. Doug and Gord rarely were seen without each other. In their younger days, they meticulously mowed lawns for the neighbours and spent hours playing catch with their baseball gloves and ball.
Hands down, Doug was the New York Yankees’ number-one fan. He had an incredible memory for baseball teams, players, and scores, and, for him, the Yankees ruled.
His wardrobe demonstrated his love of the team; his room was full of their memorabilia.
One of his pastimes was collecting baseball cards, which he did from an early age. Several cards included Mickey Mantle, who Doug considered the best player of all time.
Doug also loved music. He would spend hours listening to Bill Haley, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, or big band songs. He had a huge collection and, as his hearing went, the music got louder!
Doug was a natural-born leader. Although people viewed him as challenged, he taught us that challenges can be overcome. He often felt his disability was imposed by others and he conquered the stereotype on a regular basis.
His leadership allowed Doug and his two siblings to live a full, independent life.
Doug was a stubborn Shute. He was brutally honest but always very, very respectful. He had such a strong sense of family—family meant more than the world to him.
He made us all realize how much we need each other.
When Doug moved to Rainycrest in 1997, his family grew. Several of the staff and residents there were adopted by Doug as family, and he cared for them deeply. He never forgot their birthdays or special occasions.
Doug is survived by his brothers, Gord and Rod Shute; sister, Joan Shute; and sister and brother-in-law, Donna (Tremblay) and Pat Dittaro and their children, Jade and Cody.
Also surviving is his sister-in-law, Marcia Shute and her children, Mike (Shelley) Shute and children, Michelle (Ryan) and Jessica, and Larry (Christine) Shute and children, Lauren and Christopher; his special friend, Buzz Wickstrom; and his friends at Rainycrest.
Doug was deeply affected by the loss of his father, Clifford. He spoke of his death as “the saddest day of my life.”
He also was predeceased by his mother, Mary Tremblay; brother, Harvey Shute; step-father, Bill Tremblay; nephew, Patrick Shute; and great-niece, Katie Shute.
Doug made us realize you don’t need much to be happy and you should always enjoy the simple things in life—walks, the beauty of holly-hocks, a leisurely afternoon cheering for your favourite baseball team, a good meat and cheese sandwich, and some good old-fashioned rock and roll music.
He taught us more than we ever taught him, and we will miss him more than we can even imagine.
Doug’s memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, with Rev. Marietta Marshall officiating.
As his Dad died at the early age of 46 from a stroke, Doug requested that donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Honourary pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews, Judy Johnstone, Kim Matheson, Leslie Bell, Lucy Fults, and Buzz Wickstrom.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity toward Doug.
May you now have the best seat in Yankee Stadium. See you later, chum.