01/30/2026
McQUIGGE, Douglas Harvey
April 20, 1947 - January 15, 2026
We are profoundly saddened to announce Doug passed away at home, peacefully, as he wished, the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026 surrounded by family. It was during a severe winter snowstorm when Doug valiantly struggled with the ravages of pneumonia. He had suffered with asthma and COPD for many years. Lucid to the end, he will be remembered for his strength, courage and patience at this time. We are heartbroken and will miss his love, integrity and humanity. He would be 79 in April.
Born in Toronto, Doug was predeceased by his parents, Donald Edmund McQuigge and Marjorie (nee Stapells), and older brother, Donald Perry McQuigge (Cobourg). He is survived by his beloved and loving wife, Catherine (nee Cherry), much loved sister, Susan Irwin, sister-in-law, Helene (nee Savard) McQuigge, niece, Michelle, and nephews, Michael McQuigge, Doug Irwin (Olivia), Pete Irwin (Nikki), ex-brother-in-law, George Irwin (Brenda), and close cousin, Thomas Heyes of Los Angeles. There are many second cousins who looked forward to seeing Doug especially if he was wearing his distinguished fedora hat. If you could not pronounce McQuigge he would say “think of McQ and whig”.
Catherine’s family also surviving: Brian W. and Shirley Ann Cherry of Richmond, B.C.; Gail W. Nichols and the late Richard S. Cherry of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Paul W. and Shelley Cherry of Haliburton and their families.
Doug’s father, Donald Edmund McQuigge, and Cathy’s father, Richard C.D. Cherry, originally met in the 1920’s at U.C.C. playing hockey for the school teams. They remained lifelong friends. Doug received an excellent education starting with Baron Renfrew School North Toronto, Sedbergh private school in Montebello Quebec, a brief attendance at Upper Canada College, North Toronto Collegiate, and graduating from Hillsdale College Michigan. He often spoke of Headmaster T.J. Wood alias ‘Woody’ at the Sedbergh School. Doug enjoyed the weekends at his Montebello log cabin where he would go cross-country skiing in the Laurentians. He looked forward to Herman ‘Jackrabbit’ Smith-Johannsen who gave yearly ski lessons and inspiring workshops at the Sedbergh school. Johannsen was a Norwegian pioneer skier and supercentenarian now honored in the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum. Later Doug enjoyed driving his JAG XJE to Hillsdale College where he was a popular radio host, public speaker and debater. He did have a clever wit with an encyclopedia of quotes, verses and sayings to enlighten and bring positivity.
The family residences also bring back many memories. The McQuigge’s lived at Doncliffe Road near the Rosedale Golf Club, Hedgewood Road, Montebello Quebec at the Birches and Highbourne Road across from U.C.C. They enjoyed many summers at the Stapells Deancroft estate, Jackson’s Point, Lake Simcoe. In the late 1950’s they bought a beautiful cottage on Lake Joseph at Port Sandfield.
Doug’s career was in marketing, communications, live music promotion and artist management. In later years he went into property management with an emphasis on spearheading many green sustainable initiatives. One friend characterized Doug as ‘a genius in the situation room’. He quickly brought clarity, focus and direction to most circumstances. He was quietly influential in an effort to help people, never hesitating to speak up on behalf of others.
Some of his most appreciated and creative marketing projects were: discussions in 1972 to buy Harold Ballard out of Maple Leaf Gardens; The Pizza Pizza 967-1111 jingle; Morgan Earl Sound; Footprint Productions; McConnell Advertising; Angel Dollars; Nickel News, Grapevine News; The Secret Agent; Drifters Club; The Purple Onion; The Winter Friendship Festival for families of outdoor and indoor activities the week following Christmas; www.thanksanta.com; the Lord of Light, Prince of Peace promotion; and Sandfield Sales and Services Inc. All of his initiatives brought vibrancy and connections to local economies. He worked to raise funds for Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels and the Canadian Red Cross.
Douglas enjoyed music of all kinds and generations. His great grandfather was a music teacher, and his maternal grandfather, Richard Stapells was an accomplished violinist, member of the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra and organist for many years at the Anglican Church of the Messiah on Avenue Road.
Doug leaned into country music and rock and roll. He promoted and organized live events for the Rock Pile Club, Heatwave 1980, Mohawk Jamboree 1983, and QED Media. He found sponsorships for Pepsi’s Beatlemania 1964, Molson Rocks, Labatt’s Blue Live, Concert Productions International and the City of Toronto’s Winterfest. He was a private organizer for many world class performers such as Roy Young, Long John Baldry, Nana Mouskouri, Bob McBride, Jim Carrey and for chauffeur J.T. Cunningham who, in livery, drove many a rock legend in Toronto. In 1969, Doug and his business partner were the first to bring Led Zeppelin to North America. Another friend characterized Doug as strategic and timely at organizing safe temporary live music events.
Doug would quote: “Where words fail, music speaks” by Hans Christian Andersen. Or, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” by Ludwig van Beethoven. Or, “I have not understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it.” Igor Stravinsky. “Music, if welcomed into the soul, becomes a spirit that never dies.” Edward Lytton. His quotes worked. He established many treasured and loyal friendships through the live music entertainment business.
Doug supported Drug Free Kids Canada, www.musiccounts.ca, the Royal Canadian Legion, Sunnybrook Hospital, United Way, the Salvation Army, Scott Mission, Anglican and community outreach programs for the homeless and unsheltered, and Crime Stoppers. He was especially looking forward to the Neil Peart Memorial Sculpture in Port Dalhousie. He would hope you might support these too.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Joyce E. Taylor and the late Richard G. Taylor who deeply loved, and cherished Doug from his teenage years; and to the St. Catharines’ Niagara Paramedics, Police and Fire for their exceptional care for Doug’s welfare during this difficult time, especially Trevor, Wendy and Megan.
A private cremation has taken place. A funeral service and Celebration of Life will be held in the spring where all are welcome. Doug will be laid to rest by the family at a private internment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
“May the Lord give you peace, at all times, in all ways.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. To share photos, memories and condolences please visit CCBSCares.ca
