HIMMELMAN, Capt. Douglas Thomas
It is with deep sadness the family of Capt. Douglas Thomas Himmelman announce his passing on May 3, 2024. at the age of 101. He was the eldest son of the late Capt. Thomas A. and Lois J. (Ritcey) Himmelman, born in Riverport on March 11, 1923. The family later moved to Lunenburg and Doug attended the Lunenburg Academy.
Doug started his sea going career in 1940 at the young age of 17, fishing with his father who was Captain and part owner of the M/V “Bessemer”. In 1941 he joined the “Merchant Navy” and served to the end of the Second World War serving on various Freighters and Tankers. During his War Time Service he received several service medals, 1939-1945 The Atlantic Star, The Pacific Star, War Medal, Voluntary Service and Victory Medal. During 1945-1949 he served as Mate on both Coastal and Foreign Trade Tankers. In 2009 he received the M/N Convoy Cup Medallion and in 2012 he received the Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee Medal.
In 1950 he attended Navigation School in Halifax and was successful in acquiring his “Certificate of Competency” as Master. He then served as Master on several Freighters which sailed between the Eastern Arctic & the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 1956 he was appointed to the “Atlantic Pilotage Authority” in Halifax as a Ship’s Pilot until his retirement in 1982. For a time during the 70’s, Doug was co-owner and President of “Metro Marine Company” which operated a “Halifax Harbour Launch Service”. Later with 3 partners, they purchased a ship from Ireland called “The Lady Scotia” and formed the “Halifax Caribbean Steamship Company” which established a shipping service between Halifax & Caribbean ports. In his retirement Doug delivered many vessels between Iceland, Denmark and South America and also captained motor yachts between Canada and Southern United States. For a season he had the pleasure of being Master of “Bluenose 11” which he sailed on the Atlantic Coast and on the Great Lakes. He claimed this to be one of the highlights of his career. Doug and his family made many memorable pleasure trips to the Caribbean on family owned sailing yachts. He had a love for sailing and also was well known as “The Cook” on many voyages with his son Hans on his yacht, the “Delawana”. In 1980 he sailed his cousin Barry Himmelman’s yacht the “Windancer” from Dana Point, California to Lunenburg, NS, a voyage which took 67 days and covered approximately 7000 nautical miles. His son Tom, brother Edgar, cousins Barry & Ray were along on this voyage. He loved to travel, cook, dance, entertain and was very loyal to his friends. He always made a special effort to visit friends whether they were confined at home or in hospital. On many occasions he took time to speak to school children regarding his War Time experience in the Merchant Navy. Doug had the gift of remembering many poems as well as sea going experiences and could recite them at any given occasion. He also was an avid reader, give him a newspaper or a good book and he could spend all day reading.
Doug was a long-time member of the United Church of Canada and in late years he attended Zion Lutheran Church in Lunenburg with his partner Louise. He served as President and in other executive positions of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 23 of Lunenburg and later was appointed a life member. He was a life member of the Lunenburg Yacht Club, member of the Lunenburg Curling Club, past board member of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority, Charter President & member of the Fisherman’s Memorial Society, in which he was instrumental in the installation of the Fisherman’s Memorial Monument on the Lunenburg waterfront, past board member of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, member of the Lunenburg Board of Trade, The Company of Master Mariners of Canada, the HMCS Sackville Trust in Halifax, the National Association of Federal Retirees, the Germann dcanadian
Cultural Society, was Chairman of the NS Branch of the Merchant Navy Veterans Association, member of the NS Schooner Association, which for many years he sailed the Schooner, “Calanova” and was victorious in winning many racing events, also he was a volunteer driver for many years with the VON. Doug is survived by his companion and best friend Louise Strickland; sons Hans (Dani Sue), St. Margaret’s Bay, Tom (Wendy), Bedford; daughter Jan, Bedford; grand-daughters, Stephanie (Kevin) Logan, Calgary, Kristyn (Kyle) Dearn, St. Margaret’s Bay, Julie (Scott) Kraus, Toronto; and grand-son Austin, Halifax. Also his great grand-daughters Miel, Aiya, Anna, Greta and Phoebe; and great grandson Henrick; nieces Lois, Leslee, Lynn, nephew Bill, and their families, and also by Louise’s family.
Besides his parents, Doug was predeceased by his wife of fifty two years, Elizabeth (Betty Mailman); Brothers Bruce, Donald, Edgar;and sister Jane (Stan Gibson), also by his grand-daughter Jenna Himmelman.
A “Fond Farewell” to a great “Captain & Sailor”, a devoted family man, a good friend to all and a fine gentleman who enjoyed life to the fullest!!! Memorial donations in Doug’s memory may be made to the HMCS SACKVILLE TRUST in Halifax, Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital, the Victorian Order of Nurses or any charity of choice.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy #3, Lunenburg. A memorial service for Doug will be held at a later date.
The family would like to extend a huge “THANK YOU” to Dr. Beaton, Jamie, Abby, Amy, to all the nurses and staff and to the many kind and thoughtful volunteers at the Veterans Unit for the great care and kindness they gave Doug during his stay at FMH. Also a special thank you to Dr. Camille Munroe (Palliative Care) for her care and compassion for Doug in keeping him comfortable at the end of his journey. God bless them all!!