Doug Cressman Passes, Arrangements Set
Doug Cressman, a highly respected Standardbred Canada Director for eight years, past Chair of SC’s Strategic Planning Committee and a very successful breeder of Standardbred horses, passed away
on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the age of 63 in Calgary, Alberta.
Doug fought a courageous and valiant battle with cancer during the last 15 years, beating it successfully for a long time, before it returned in the last two years.
In 1995, Cressman became the General Manager of Regina Exhibition Association, that included harness racing at Queensbury Downs, which he operated for 10 years after his retirement as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources for the province of Saskatchewan. In 2005, he became the Chief Executive Officer of Trout Unlimited Canada based in Calgary, Alberta and has successfully led that organization in its mission to conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems.
Doug, his wife Barbara and daughter Jocelyn, developed a love for harness racing and set up a standardbred breeding operation in Craven, Saskatchewan on 35 acres, just 20 minutes north of Regina. They operated a successful broodmare and foaling operation, selling their yearlings annually in the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association Yearling Sale in Alberta and the Canadian Classic Yearling Sale in Ontario.
Doug & Barb used the prefix Prairie in naming their foals and frequently topped the ASHA Sale results with their yearlings. They successfully bred and raised such horses as Prairie Steel p,1.52.3, $292,022 and Prairie Storm p,l.54.3 $164,375.
Doug’s life has touched many people in the industry. It is with deep sadness that we have lost such an inspirational human being.
A funeral service will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan at the Victoria Avenue Funeral Home located at 2080 East Victoria Avenue, on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:30 PM.
Friends and family wishing to make a donation in Doug’s memory are welcome to support Trout Unlimited Canada, The Nature Conservancy of Canada or The Canadian Cancer Society.
Please join Standardbred Canada in forwarding our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Doug Cressman.
On behalf of Double D
On behalf of Double D Stables are deepest condolances go to the Cressman family. You have brought a great deal of pride to the racing industry. We are very greatful to have had dealings with Doug in regards to Prairie steele. We thank you for everything you have brought the standardbred racing industry.
I only met Doug on a couple
I only met Doug on a couple of occasions, however I was fortunate enough to share a table with Doug and Barbara at a dinner at Woodbine about 2 years ago and they both left a lasting impression on me. What wonderful people and what a loving couple. My heart goes out to the family at this enormous loss.
On behalf of myself and the
On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors I would like to express our deepest sympathy to Doug's family. Doug was a very dedicated Director of Standardbred Canada and a big believer in the Alberta yearling sale and Alberta racing.
I know Doug is a lot more comfortable now than he has been in the past with his illness..
Jackson Wittup
Chair, Standardbred Canada
To Barbara and family; Doug
To Barbara and family;
Doug was The Minister Of Class.
Given his first-class demeanor, it is easy to understand the lengthy, impressive list of business achievements he piled up.
I met him at the Alberta yearling sales, where his manner was always positive despite the sport's difficulties in Alberta and Saskatchewan. His yearlings were alwys first class, too, as evidenced by some of their high-end prices. He proved top-class pacers could be bred and produced in the west.
Doug will be greatly missed ... my condolences at this time on your great loss ...
Our deepest condolences for
Our deepest condolences for the family and friends.
Doug will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Hainings