Douglas J. Fairbairn, 80, of North Olmsted, Ohio, joined his Heavenly Father and family on April 5, 2023. the funeral Mass for Mr. Fairbairn was held April 12 at The Church of St. Clarence and internment was at Holy Cross Cemetery, both in the Cleveland area.
Douglas, the second born child to Eldora and Ralph W. Fairbairn (Preston, Minn.) arrived on May 8, 1942, and was welcomed by his two-year-old sister Barbara J. Fairbairn (Montang). He attended Preston Elementary and High Schools During his education years, Douglas participated in the school choir, football, track activities and thespian activities. He also enjoyed dancing, horseback riding and participated in many local area horse shows. Doug worked after school and weekends at the family-owned business – Fairbairn’s Standard Station in Preston. An energetic young man, Doug worked for a road construction company during his junior and senior high school summers, helping install concrete curbs and gutters, which included paving roads throughout the city of Preston. Doug graduated high school in 1961 and attended McConnell Airline Academy in Minneapolis, Minn. Upon graduation he began working for the Braniff Airline Company in Chicago, Ill. It was there that he met the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” Spuhler, an airline stewardess. The couple married in 1964 in Chicago. Their careers found them living Chicago, Minneapolis, and finally, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, the hometown of Mrs. Fairbairn. Doug worked in the airline industry as a sales rep for various airlines over the years and this allowed him to travel and visit friends all over the world. Doug also worked with Walt Disney Inc., as a district sales manager and he traveled often while in that profession. Upon retirement, Doug decided he wasn’t ready to sit around, so he began working as a starter at Springvale Golf Course, in the Cleveland area… enjoying his favorite sport… golf.
Doug embraced his Scottish and Irish heritage and was very active in the Cleveland Irish American Club. Most years, you would find him walking the St. Patrick’s Day Parade as a monitor and greeter… and what a great greeter he was! Always a smile and friendly wave.
Mr. Fairbairn is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Peggy; their four children: Colleen Murray (Michael), Bryan Fairbairn (Beverly), Stacy Dever (Michael) and Sean Fairbairn (Dani). He was the proud Grandpa of 14 grandchildren and the great-grandfather of one. Doug is also survived by sister Fran (Fairbairn) Sauer of Preston, Minn., sister-in-law Carole (Benson) Fairbairn of Harmony, Minn., and brother-in-law Dale C. Montang of Mason City, Iowa.
Douglas was preceeded in death by his parents, his sister Barbara J. Fairbairn Montang and his brother James D. Fairbairn. May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
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