Thursday, May 20, 2021
I recently learned that Doug Bray has passed away. I have been thinking about Doug for the last few days and I wanted to send a note to his family.
Doug and I spent a lot of time together from about age 8 or 9 until our later teens. We did not keep in touch since our teens even though I frequently thought of Doug and his parents.
Doug was an incredibly imaginative and creative guy. We had so much fun together with war games, car games, sports and fooling around on the banks of the Ganaraska. He always had lots of great ideas (many of them science fictional!) and I was particularly impressed with his fearlessness to pursue these ideas or dreams. I think he had the creativity to do pretty much anything he wanted because of his capability and initiative. It sounds like he really did follow through on some of his dreams – good for Doug.
I am sure that Earl (always a hand rolled Ogden’s in his mouth) was a significant influence on Doug’s interest in F1. Earl took Doug and I to Mosport around 1960 to see car and motorcycle races and F1 driver Stirling Moss was always an important driver in our car games. In addition, Earl made small “race” cars (#7 and #77) and Earl had a motorcycle at one time. I vividly recall visiting “the farm” which was where Earl’s mother (Mrs. Harbourn?) lived. The two cars and a small Harley motorcycle were located at the farm and there was a small “track”. These cars were relatively sophisticated at the time – not a simple go cart but a body on frame construction made by Earl. Earl got Doug into car racing (quarter midgets) at a very young age. I am guessing Doug was competing in races at the age of 5 or 6. Earl taught us to ride a motorcycle when we were about 9 years old. How about that!
Earl and Norma were big hockey fans. Earl had exercises set up for Doug to develop his strength and skills for hockey. I think Earl and Norma even sent Doug to hockey camp in the 1960s. I recall a story about Norma watching the Canadian Olympic hockey team in the 1960s. Fran Huck was a well-known forward for the Canadian Olympic team….in her excitement Norma spoonerized Fran Huck’s name when she was excitedly cheering for him in front of the TV – you can imagine what came out of her mouth!! Doug and Earle never let her forget that!
Norma was more of the disciplinarian in the family, and I always enjoyed running into her in Port Hope. She always a big smile and was really sharp. She was an incredibly warm person who was genuinely happy to see you and find out what was going on in your life.
I will always remember my childhood friend – Doug Bray and his parents.
My condolences to Doug's family
John Fulford
