December 11, 1929 - January 1, 2024
Life and Times Tribute ~
Doug Petrowitz passed away on January 1, 2024. Doug was born in Quesnel on December 11, 1929. He grew up on a ranch with his parents and sister. His favourite memory as a child was riding a horse to school.
When he was old enough, he went into the logging industry as a tree faller at Chimney Lake, B.C. There he met his wife, Irene, who also worked in the logging industry as a tree scaler.
They bought a lumber camp at Alexis Creek. From there, they moved to Arrowhead to work at the Mica Dam in Revelstoke, B.C. They then moved to Revelstoke after his job at the dam was completed. Both Irene and Doug continued to work in the logging industry.
The next stage in their lives was the purchase of Em & Jay Economart & Antiques on Highway 97 in Vernon, B.C. They both enjoyed building up their business and working with antiques and restoring them as well. They went on buying antique trips to Sally's place in Kingston, Ontario; from there, they would travel all over into Quebec and New York State to the big antique places.
Doug was a master craftsman; he could reproduce any antique piece. They were so perfect; it was hard to tell the difference from the original. He would take parts of the wood from other furniture and then make a whole new piece of furniture.
When Em & Jay Economart & Antiques burned down, that didn't discourage them. They were able to purchase a building on Pleasant Valley Road and continue with the antique business until it was time to retire. After several years, they then sold the business and finally retired.
When Irene's mother became sick, Irene went to Saskatchewan in 1965 and brought her back to Vernon, B.C., to live with them. Doug and Irene took care of her till she was moved into the Gateby Seniors Home in Vernon. Doug and Irene took care of all her needs until her passing in 1991. They both also took care of Doug's mother until she passed.
Later on, Irene was diagnosed with cancer, and Doug took care of Irene till she passed away in 2008. Maureen Striegan had taken care of Doug until he passed away.
In Doug's leisure time, he enjoyed fishing with Irene, collecting coins, and gardening. Doug also loved dogs... pugs to be exact... and always had one throughout the years.
Doug was predeceased by Irene on February 2, 2008. Doug was predeceased by his mother and father, Dolly and Archie Petrowitz, his sister Esther Wainwright, Robert, William, Maurice, Richard, Patrick, Pauline, Kathleen, and Walter Wainwrights.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Sally Peters, numerous nieces and nephews, and his wonderful dog Buck.
- By Sarah (Wainwright) Peters