It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas R. Bridgman of Lincoln, NB at the Saint John Regional Hospital on May 17th, 2019. Born on August 17th, 1948 in Montreal PQ, he was a son of the late Christopher and Grace (Kerr) Bridgman.
Doug will be deeply missed by his loving wife and best friend of 42 years Dagmar [Brijar]; two sons, Andrew Bridgman (Lise) of Smithville, ON and Shane Clements (Valentina) of Winnipeg MB; grandchildren; Natasha Merante (Mitchell) of Arthur, ON and Cael Clements of Winnipeg, MB.
He is survived by brothers John Bridgman (Beverley) of Montreal, PQ, Ron Bridgman (Margie) of Montreal, PQ, Andrew Bridgman of Montreal, PQ; sisters Sharon Bridgman of Chertsey, PQ, Donna Bridgman of Vancouver, BC, Beverley Bridgman of Montreal, PQ, Gloria Dadpour (Amir) of Coquitlam, BC; mother-in-law Marietta Brijar of Montreal, PQ, brother-in-law Zdenek Brijar (Barbara) of Montreal, PQ , and sister- in-law Ann Cronin (Michael) of Montreal, PQ; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Doug was predeceased by father-in-law Ambrose Brijar, a brother Ian Bridgman, and sister-in-law Franca Bridgman.
Doug became a quadriplegic in 1979 as a result of a spinal cord tumor. He and Dagmar relocated from Montreal to Fredericton in July 1984 to work with the Canadian Paraplegic Association. In 1986, Doug was appointed Manager of the New Brunswick Civil Service Equal Employment Opportunity Program until his retirement in March 2009.
Doug was very active in the disability community, volunteering for over 30 years. Eventually President and Board Member of the Canadian Paraplegic Association [Ability NB]; member of the New Brunswick Wheelchair Rugby Team-competing nationally; President of the New Brunswick Wheelchair Sports Association; Chair of the Citizens Committee for Transportation of Seniors and Disabled Persons; member of the Annual Provincial Organizing Committee for National Access Awareness Week; Chair of the Canadian Council for Rehabilitation and Work for 6 years; member of the Easter Seals New Brunswick Board since 2008 serving a term as President and sat on the National Easter Seals Canada Board from 2012 to 2018; a member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.
Doug worked very hard to accomplish his dream of having an accessible taxi service in Fredericton, which became a reality in 2009 - the B.A.T. Mobile [Brunswick Accessible Taxi]. Prior to his disability, Doug played hockey and baseball and coached minor league sports. He had a very positive influence on many kids growing up in Park Extension and Fredericton. Doug was an avid fan of the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Expos. In retirement, he enjoyed attending the YMCA where he had personal trainer sessions specially designed to help him maintain his active lifestyle.
A special thank you goes to Vianne Hurley and the many Extra Mural nurses who were recently involved in Doug’s care.
Resting at Bishop’s Funeral Home, 540 Woodstock Road, Fredericton, visitation will be on Friday May 24th, 2019 from 10AM to 11:45 AM. A service will be held at Bishop’s Funeral Home at 12 noon. A celebration of life will be held immediately following the service. Interment will be in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery in Lincoln, NB.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Easter Seals New Brunswick.
Online condolences and sharing of memories may be sent though www.bishopsfuneralhome.com
