Remembering Doug

This past year has been filled with some amazing times (our wedding just last February) and also some tough times as well.

The toughest of all was my father-in-law's battle with Cancer.  Christie's dad, Doug Chorley, was diagnosed this past April with Esophageal Cancer and battled with courage against this terrible disease.  Unfortunately, the cancer moved incredibly quickly and he passed away on December 6th.  It blows my mind that just a year ago he was completely healthy - we were planning our wedding together and talking about golf trips we'd take in the spring.  

As this whole Italian Football opportunity came to be, I was initially very hesitant about committing, because obviously there would be no way I could go while Doug was sick.  In his final days, Christie and I did talk about this opportunity with him, and he was very excited for me and urged me to tackle it head on.

Doug had countless friends in Edmonton and beyond, and first and foremost was a great person.  He was also an outstanding athlete - competing in football, hockey, and swimming while growing up and later in golf and curling.  He was a true sports fan, and never missed an Eskimo game or a golf tournament on TV.

The following article appeared today in the Edmonton Journal - and is a testament to the type of man he was and the legacy will carry on.  The full article can be found HERE, but I have also reprinted the text on this page.

Doug Chorley's life was cut short by cancer, but his family believes he lived his 54 years to the fullest

Don Retson, The Edmonton Journal

Published: 2:02 am

EDMONTON - When he learned his cancer had spread and was now terminal, Doug Chorley's first reaction typified the man -- he was more concerned about his family than himself.

"Oh well, I've lived a good life," Mr. Chorley was heard to say at the time."I'm just sorry that I'm going to drag you guys through this."

An exceptional athlete who cherished his family, held dear by his friendships and was never afraid of chasing his dreams, Douglas Kenneth Chorley died of esophageal cancer on Dec. 6, 2007. He was 54.

"My dad was a man of great integrity and touched countless lives," said daughter Christie Chorley. "He lived a full life -- although it was much too short -- and was a great Edmontonian that will be dearly missed."

Committed to helping others, Mr. Chorley served three years as chairman of the Greater Edmonton Area Poppy Fund, raising money for veterans in need.

"He put a lot of time into that and it was something he enjoyed doing," said Christie.

She noted that her grandfather was a soldier in the British Army in the Second World War and was a longtime member of the Kingsway branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

At Mr. Chorley's funeral, the legion supplied an honour guard.

Throughout his life, Mr. Chorley pursued many business ventures.

Happiest on the golf course, in the early 90's he opened a golf centre in the Edmonton International Airport for travellers awaiting flights.

Called Drive and Fly, the centre was complete with a driving range, putting green and chipping area.

Later, Mr. Chorley opened a headhunting business, placing accountants and other executives in Bermuda. He finished his business career working as regional sales manager for Rocky Mountain Roasters.

As a tribute to Mr. Chorley, the family will host an annual Doug Chorley Memorial Golf Tournament, starting this August. It will raise money to buy equipment and treatments to help in the fight against esophageal cancer, a rare but deadly form of the disease.

A website -- dougchorleygolf.com -- is currently under development.

In his youth, Mr. Chorley was an accomplished football player for both Ross Shepherd high school and the bantam Wildcats football team.

He also swam competitively and played hockey.

He met his future wife, Lynn, when they were in their early teens. They were married on March 9, 1974, and lived in Red Deer, Edmonton and Devon.

Other than his family and friends, Mr. Chorley's world revolved around sports. He played, coached and enjoyed watching games.

He once coached the Wildcats football team.

An Eskimo season ticketholder for decades, Mr. Chorley took pride in the fact that his future son-in-law -- Jason Johnson -- played for the Eskimos and won the Grey Cup.

"He was never a fair-weather fan and always supported his home teams," said Christie, an Edmonton reporter for The Score television network.

"His view on sports was reflected in his view on life: You play by the rules, play hard, and always have a great attitude."

He included Christie and son Kyle in everything he did and was always part of whatever they were doing: be it soccer, hockey, cheerleading competitions or the Boy Scouts.

"He was the type of dad," said Christie, "that not only came to watch but was also involved in everything behind the scenes.

"He taught us a lot. We learned to be fair, honest and to have integrity."

Mr. Chorley is survived by Christie and Kyle; companion Terry Ainsworth; Lynn Chorley, his wife of 30 years; mother Dolores and brother Les.

dretson@thejournal.canwest.com