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Douglas Donald Fair was born December 29, 1961. And, of course, he never let us forget that that date was too close to Christmas to do his birth the proper justice.
Doug started working when he was a young teen doing the kind of things many of us do- he mowed grass. He also spent A LOT of time with our Dad working on rather crusty old trucks. The two of them made them purr (or at least run). Doug began working with Jeff Bradbury when he was about 17 years old. For many years the two of them did all types of construction projects. This is where Doug honed his skills on a backhoe. And, he was very good at it, and in later years competed in various backhoe competitions. After his time with Jeff, he started to work with the Plum Borough Water Authority, which is where he worked when he passed away. Doug was a magician on the backhoe! No one could do it better (he would have certainly told you so). He worked hard no matter what he was doing.
In obituaries, people always say how incredible their loved ones were. This son, brother, father and friend was truly and absolutely an incredible man. He would do anything for his family and friends. And, of course, he was the only one that could do it right. He was loyal, sensitive and kind, but still was the toughest of guys. Everyone went to him for conversation, beer, advice, and projects that needed to be done. He never said “no”, just “where is the Iron City beer”?
Doug met most of his friends through his work. They are all ruthlessly sarcastic with each other, but also unfailingly loyal. Most of us can say that we have a few really close friends. Doug can say he had many. There was, and even with Doug’s absence, will continue to be this amazing group of people whose lives were deeply touched by Doug. His loss is and will be felt- now like the blade of a jagged knife, but in time like a scar that doesn’t hurt, but always reminds us someone truly special has been lost.
Like the rest of us he was human- he was filled with the Fair family stubbornness, dogged determination, inflexibility, frustration, and anger. But, more importantly, he was smart, caring, fiercely loving, and full of integrity. This man truly broke the mold.
Doug has taken amazing care of our Mother since our Dad died ten years ago. He has always put his family first, helping us with whatever we needed (wanted)- a deck, gazebo, swing set, climbing wall, garage.
Doug’s family was not big, but certainly special. There was Dad- Don (died in 2010), and now there is Mum- Carol, and two sisters- Deybra (the oldest) and Barbara (the middle child). He has a nephew- Patrick Devlin (Barbara’s son). Patrick’s family includes Courtney, his wife and his two children Fiona and Flynn. Patrick and Doug were extremely close. Doug had Pat work with him for just a summer, but taught him years worth of information during that time about work and life. Melody Koerber, his oldest niece (living in HI) and Meiko (living in Portland) are Deborah’s children.
Many years ago, Doug had a long term relationship with Nancy Siciliano and helped raise her two children Daniela Wilps and Gabrielle Meyer. He was a great Dad who always treated the girls as if they were his own and was a caring grandfather to his three grandchildren. Daniela is married to Brett and they have a little boy- Bruno. Gabrielle is married to Joseph and they have two children- Vita and Attilio.
Doug was currently in a long-term relationship with Linda Weale, who has a daughter Brianna Rady, who is married to Jacob Rady. They are expecting a baby in July. Doug was excited about another little one in the family.
Our hearts are broken by the sudden loss of this amazing man. The sun is not quite as bright right now, but in time the clouds will clear and we will laugh with him and each other, as we share our amazing memories.
We will celebrate Doug’s incredible life on Thursday, March 24th. There will be an open reception from 4 to 6 pm at Findlay C. Wylie Funeral Home, Inc., 11311 Frankstown Road in Penn Hills. There will be a short service at about 5 pm, and then there will be time for those who wish to share their memories of Doug.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like, please send donations to Folds of Honor, or any other charity of your choosing in his name.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Douglas Donald Fair, please visit our floral store.