I was shocked and saddened to hear of Doug's passing. He always seemed eternally youthful. I first met Doug in the early seventies when he came to our house to visit his assistant Maya. His card tricks and sleight of hand amazed even then. The first time I saw him perform for the public was at the Hillsborough Potato festival, not exactly the big time. But his fame kept growing. There was a flattering CBC biography (Telescope? Periscope? - I can't remember). Following this came Spellbound with Doug, Mars and Maya. I saw it at the Royal Alex in Toronto and on Broadway as well. Through Maya and Brian Lumley, I met Doug on several occasions. He was always pleasant and fascinating to be with. I did lose track of him for many years, although I would read about his spiritual journeys. I met him again last year when he appeared on the Mike Bullard Show. He still had that boyish sense of wonderment and enthusiasm that I had seen in him twenty-five years earlier and that was so unique to him. He was truly a very special individual.
To his family and friends, please accept my condolences at this very sad time. Gary Oppenheimer