Douglas Mccashin

McCashin, Douglas James

Douglas James McCashin, 73, died suddenly at home in Ottawa on February 07, 2023.  He was born in Regina Saskatchewan on July 23, 1949 to Patrick and Anne (Mickey) McCashin.  He grew up in the Cathedral Parish of Regina and attended Campion High School and Campion College at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus.  Doug majored in history and graduated in 1972. After university, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs (now called Global Affairs) and moved to Ottawa. He studied Mandarin Chinese in both Ottawa and Hong Kong and in 1978, he was posted to the Canadian Embassy in Peking (Beijing) for 2 years.  He returned to Ottawa and continued with Foreign Affairs until he joined the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in 1985.  Doug worked in Ottawa and Edmonton and retired from CSIS in 2009 after 35 years of work with the Canadian Government.

Doug was a voracious reader and had an extensive collection of books on a wide variety of topics ranging from history, politics, and biographies to espionage novels.  Early in life he became interested in trains and was a model rail road enthusiast.  Doug appreciated fine wines and good scotch. His musical tastes ranged from classical to pop and jazz.  He volunteered for several years with an Ottawa food bank and also for federal and provincial election campaigns.  Doug enjoyed talking to people.  He is survived by his brother Barry (Laura) in Edmonton and several cousins.  He will be greatly missed by his many friends including those that frequented the Lieutenant’s Pump pub in Ottawa for weekly lunch and discussions on current events; as well as coworkers in Ottawa and Edmonton; and friends from his undergraduate days in Regina.  Everyone who knew Doug said that he was kind, considerate and a real gentleman.

There will be a wake in Edmonton in spring 2023 followed by a funeral mass in Regina in the summer.  Anyone who wishes to be notified of the location and dates can send an email to: dougmccashin@gmail.com   Those who are inclined to make a donation in memoriam can contact The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or any charity of their choice.  Doug will be interred near his parents in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Regina.