Obituary of Doug Schaller

Paul Douglas Schaller-Doug to everyone who knew him-math genius, chess master, life time member of the drivers etiquette squad, reluctant pool boy and second in command to his wife Evelyn, died on February 24, 2021. Doug was the 4th of 10 children born to Paul and Cecilia Schaller in Sydney NS. From an early age he learned the value of a job well done and often shared his knowledge with those around him. Doug saw potential in everyone and often expressed his pride in the achievements of others, especially those who followed his directions! Following high school Doug joined the RCMP, followed by the HPD and Dal Security. Realizing that law enforcement wasn’t satisfying his need for numbers, Doug returned to school and completed his BA (Dal), MBA (SMU) and his CPA-CMA designation. Doug’s early days as a computer programmer gave him a good foundation for an illustrious career as finance and business manager including work at Teledata, Dal Dentistry School, Oromocto Public Health, Fredericton Health Region, Compu College, NS Community Services, AGF and AIC Inc.-Radiology. As a mentor to many, Doug felt he was successful if he worked himself out of a job. An avid traveller, Doug and Evelyn travelled widely, visiting many countries by land, sea and air making many new friends along the way. Cayman Islands was their home away from home for the past 14 years where he was part of the exclusive Caymaniadian community. Doug had many hobbies and tried everything at least once but his favourites were woodworking and chess and he excelled at both, as long as he could find someone willing to lose at chess. Doug had little patience for snoring, noisy eating, gum chewing and bad drivers. He was even known to pay his nieces and nephews not to chew gum. He was a handy man of the highest calibre and was well known for his impressive supply of whatever you needed and had an uncanny memory for who borrowed what and when! Doug was always willing to lend a hand and offer sound advice without embarrassing you too much. If a shirt didn’t have a chest pocket it wasn’t wearable and adding a pocket was not unheard of.Hugging was not welcome and was seen as a challenge for most of his family, often achieved only by much stealth. Doug is survived by his wife Evelyn (Burt, Elliott) daughter Christine (Thomas Deal) and grandchildren Gemma and Evan. Brothers Gerry (Louise), Ron (Susan), Raymond (Rosemarie) and Robert. Sisters Barbara (Gilles), Cecilia, Patricia (John) and Jane. Brothers in law George (Donna), Tom and Charles (Wendy) and Sisters in law Margaret (Don), Susan (Fred), Mary Ellen (Leslie), and Margaret. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Paul and Cecilia, sister Joanne, brother in law Guy, sister in law Martha, niece Noreen and in laws George and Sadie Burt and Dorothy and Russell Elliott. Doug’s death did not occur at his late residence so the family would like to thank the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Emergency room staff, Dr. Ian Doyle and the Haematology staff on 8A at the VG Hospital in Halifax. Your kindness, caring and compassion did not go unnoticed and was very much appreciated. Service and internment will be at a later date. Donations may be made to the Terry Fox Foundation, War Amps or Operation Smile. Doug was very supportive of charities that made life better for children.