Carleton Douglas Creelman

1933 - 2014

Carleton Douglas Creelman obituary, 1933-2014, Toronto, ON

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Carleton Creelman Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 10, 2014.

Carleton Douglas Creelman
July 27 1933 to February 9, 2014

Doug was educated at Harvard and the University of Michigan where he completed a Ph.D. in Psychology. After a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University and directing a research institute in California, he came to the University of Toronto, where he taught for 50 years in the Psychology Department. Doug was a consummate academic, always reading acquiring new knowledge.
Doug had many passions which he followed to expert levels. He was an avid racing sailor. He was a Canadian and U.S. National Judge for sailing, officiating across North America and training judges. After retiring from full-time teaching at the University he volunteered as a docent at the Art Gallery of Ontario. He also took a leadership role in the Retired Academic and Librarians Association for Uof T. He sang in the Hart House Singers, and worked with the Harvard Club. He spoke enthusiastically of these pursuits, keeping him active, interested and engaged.
While full of life, Doug suffered a traumatic brain injury after a fall on ice, and succumbed to his injury after one month.
Doug is survived by his wife Lynne, his son Brenton and daughter Monica, and their spouses, and his siblings Stewart Creelman and Katherine Skrobela. He appreciated the value of charitable contributions in lieu of any other tribute to a life well-lived.
Celebration of life will be held at the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home and Cremation Centre.2570 Danforth Avenue (at Main Street subway station) 416 698 3121 on Saturday February 15, 2014 at 2:00 pm.

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68 Entries

February 26, 2014

Beth Hennings

Lynne, so sorry to hear about your loss. Our deepet condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

February 21, 2014

Posted by

February 19, 2014

Pat O'Seaghdha

Home is the sailor, home from sea....

Doug was a calming and humane mentor to graduate students like myself back in the day, always aware of a larger world of seas and music, even when closeted in the basement of Sidney Smith Hall.

February 19, 2014

Jean Lem

Deepest sympathies to the Creelman/Beale family.

February 18, 2014

Beverley Varcoe

Our deepest sympathy to Doug's family. We knew Doug for many years at National Yacht Club. He will be remembered as a dedicated volunteer with his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for sailing. He will also be missed at the NOTSA events.
Sincerely,Beverley & Michael Varcoe

February 18, 2014

Harold Atwood

We were greatly saddened to hear of the loss of Doug, who was our companion on the recent trip to Iceland and a familiar friend at the University of Toronto's Senior College and Academic Retiree Centre, where he volunteered his services to assist other retirees. He will be greatly missed. Our sincerest condolences,
Harold and Lenore Atwood

February 17, 2014

The Executive and members of the Chester Yacht Club wish to express our sincere condolences on Doug's loss. Doug brought professionalism and skill to the judging at Chester Race Week, raising the level of our regatta and making it a better experience for our race committee members and the sailors.

He will be missed.

Joe Hill, Commodore, Chester Yacht Club, Chester NS.

February 17, 2014

Bob Duchnicky

I first met Doug Creelman when I was a student in his History of Psychology course, lo those many years ago. In the immediate years that followed I had many pleasurable interactions with him, and I remember him most fondly. My condolences to family and friends.

February 16, 2014

Craig Hanyan

I have never met Prof. Creelman, but the statement of his many accomplishments attest a life truly well lived. I have had the pleasure of interviewing applicants to Harvard and deeply appreciate his commitment to the University and the possibilities of young people.

February 16, 2014

Marie Sterling

To the Creelman family. I first met Doug at Chester Race Week in Nova Scotia he was a wonderful mentor in teaching me how to become a protest judge for sailing. I was touched by his warmth, intelligence and kindness. My daughter Sam ran the junior sailing program at National Yacht Club (2011- 2013) and Doug was kind enough to speak to the junior sailors. Sam and I will always hold a special memory about Doug. He was one of a kind.
Marie and Samantha Sterling

Posted by Marie Sterling

February 15, 2014

Brenda MacKay

My sincerest condolences to Doug's family. At the Art Gallery of Ontario there is a rather dark depiction of the north shore of Lake Superior by Charles Comfort, which I had always avoided on my tours. One day, Doug took a few of us under his wing and "read" this painting for us. With his sailor's knowledge he soon had us talking about the wind, the clouds, and the weather. He gave it life. Since then I have included it often. Another colleague who also participated in that magical moment and I, have ever since, referred to it as "Doug's painting". He was a very special person with great generosity of spirit.
Brenda MacKay

February 15, 2014

My sincerest condolences to Doug's family. At the Art Gallery of Ontario there is a rather dark and forboding depiction of the north shore of Lake Superior by Charles Comfort which I had always avoided in my tours. One day Doug took a few of us under his wing and proceeded to "read" this painting for us. With the keen observations of a sailor he soon had us discussing the winds, the clouds, the weather and the story came to life. It is now a frequent stop on my tours and another colleague and I refer to it as "Doug's painting". It was a magic moment. A very special person with great generosity of spirit.
Brenda MacKay, a fellow docent

February 15, 2014

Brenda MacKay

My sincerest condolences to Doug's family. At the Art Gallery of Ontario there is a rather dark and forboding depiction of the north shore of Lake Superior by Charles Comfort which I have always avoided in my tours. One day Doug took a few of us under his wing and proceeded to "read" this painting for us. With the keen observations of a sailor he soon had us discussing the winds, the clouds, the weather and the story came to life. It is now a frequent stop on my tours and another colleague and I refer to it as "Doug's painting". It was a magic moment. A very special person with great generosity of spirit.
Brenda MacKay, a fellow docent

February 15, 2014

To the Creelman family my deepest sympathy for your loss
As a AGO docent we always appreciated his intelectuals skills as well as his kindness .A wonderfull human being. So sorry we will miss him very much
Anita Wisner (AGO volunteer)

February 15, 2014

Dear Lynne,
We were saddened to hear of Doug's death and extend our deepest sympathy.
We have known Doug since the late 1960s, as a man of formidable intellect and one of our most congenial colleagues. Among his many contributions to the department we remember particularly the way in which he threw himself into the task of salvaging, documenting, and maintaining research equipment from the department's early days. He recognized the considerable historical importance of this equipment and left work that will be a valuable contribution to many generations of come—not only in U of T Psychology but in the discipline of psychology in general.
Joan Grusec and Bob Lockhart

February 14, 2014

Keith Hobbs

Please accept my sympathy and respect.

February 14, 2014

Sherry Anderson

Once, for my husband's birthday, Doug made him a wooden stand that could hold a candle in the middle. "This is so you can burn your candle at both ends," Doug told him with his usual wry grin. And isn't this how Doug was—wholehearted. Living life with so much avid interest. I'm grateful to have known him, and been his student and his friend.

Posted by Sherry Anderson

February 14, 2014

Wendy Burton

I knew Doug through the Harvard Club of Toronto, where we were both alumni interviewers of local applicants to the college. He was a delight to work with and always fun to have at our parties. He was so charming and generous, so interested in everybody and what they were doing. He cheered me on when I went back to school as a mature student to get my master's degree and pursue a PhD. I will always remember his wry sense of humour and gentlemanly demeanor. I am so sorry I will never see him again. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

February 14, 2014

Lynne, Doug will be missed. Good conversations, some tough decisions but always delivered with class and humility.
Fair winds mate.
Richard Reid/Toronto

February 14, 2014

lawlor rochester

Lynne:Shocked to hear of Doug's death but such fond memories of many good times together, sharing his friendship,humour and his incredible zest for life. Lawlor Rochester

February 14, 2014

Dear Lynne, we are so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. We send our condolences to you at this difficult time. We know you have many beautiful memories together. With love, Rachelle (Porter), Jon and family xo

February 13, 2014

Lynne
Sorry to hear of Doug's passing. Bill always had a great deal of respect for him. As for myself, I always held him in awe for his knowledge of sailing, racing and the rules.
Wendy Dean

February 13, 2014

Paul Muter

I am so sorry Lynne. Over the decades it was always such a joy to chat with Doug about music, computers, perception, The Beaches, and many other things. He will be greatly missed.

Paul Muter, Psychology, U of T

February 13, 2014

What a wonderful man to work with! Doug always tried to improve his skills as a sailing judge. Even while in hospital, he was doing hand motions, as all sailors do, trying to explain a protest scenario and surmise what the outcome would be. He was great at encouraging others to give back to sailing by becoming a judge. Our small community of sailing officials will sorely miss him and his contribution to the sport. We will remember him always for his dedication, quiet sense of humour, and smile.
My thoughts are with you, Lynne.

Katie Coleman Nicoll
Toronto (PCYC)

February 13, 2014

Irene Wentink

Dear Lynn,

This candle is a light for you and Doug. His light is always with you in good and loving memories. my sincere condolences with the to early to soon loss of your husband, dear friend and soul mate.
My heart goes out to you and the family.
With and in love,
Irene Wentink

February 13, 2014

Suzanne La Placette

Dear Lynne,
Eric and I send you our love and support. We will always remember the wonderful times with you both, especially at our house in Aguas Buenas. Sending you embraces and strength as you miss him.
Our love,
Suzanne and Eric

February 13, 2014

Dear Lynne, we were so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. Our sincere condolences to you and the family at this difficult time.
Dave and Margaret Hollands

February 13, 2014

Dear Lynne
I was saddened to come across the notice of Dougs passing on the Ontario Sailing website. I first came to know Doug when we both worked at Chester Race Week, he as Chief Judge and I as a Race Officer. We spent quite a bit of time together and I very much enjoyed his company. In subsequent years we often encountered each other at other sailing events. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Hugh McDowell, Ottawa (Nepean Sailing Club)

February 12, 2014

Don and Ralda Dye

Dear Lynne:

We send our heartfelt sympathy and love to you and your family for the very sad loss of your beloved Doug. We was a wonderful, gifted,well-loved and respected man and will be greatly missed. May God give you strength and grant you His peace. May you find comfort in the treasured memories of the love you shared and the happy times. May God bless you and give you strength. Our love and prayers are with you. Rest in peace Doug.

God Bless

February 12, 2014

Our thoughts are with you, Lynne. We trust that you'd find comfort in fond memories of Doug's love of life and beautiful mind. Our condolences. Monita & Eric Ho

February 12, 2014

Lynne, we were so sorry to hear about Doug. Please accept our condolences at this difficult time.
Lyle & Donna Rodgers

February 12, 2014

Generous, kind, thoughtful, respectful of all... a wonderful man I was lucky to work with and get to know at the UofT Academic Retiree Centre. Always interesting and interested! I enjoyed our chats and am so sorry that he's gone. My sincere sympathies to Doug's wife Lynne, his family and friends. Pat Doherty

February 12, 2014

Dear Lynne,
My sincere condolences on your loss.
Vera Bratten
Prince Edward County

February 12, 2014

Romin Tafarodi

I will remember Doug as one of the kindest and most welcoming members of our department at the University of Toronto. His generosity and warmth will be missed.

February 12, 2014

Ian Spence

Dear Lynne:

I'm deeply saddened to hear of Doug's passing.

In the late sixties, Doug was a member of my doctoral dissertation committee (Profs. Ogilvie, Creelman, and Nishisato). He taught me things about detection theory, psychophysics, and scaling that you could never learn from books and papers. He was a pioneer (with John Ogilvie) in methods of fitting mathematical models in detection theory and his text (with Neil Macmillan) is the standard in the field. He was greatly admired by his graduate students for his flair and passion for his chosen area of research, which was always careful, insightful, and creative. Beyond that, he was generous and kind to his students, and others, in ways that seem rare today. Latterly, when I returned to Toronto, I was his colleague for 35 years and I will greatly miss his friendship and unhurried intellectual curiosity.

My heartfelt condolences to you and the family,

Ian Spence, Professor Emeritus

February 12, 2014

Michelle

So sad to hear this. I was inspired by Doug's dedication to the history of psychology. Such a shame that this has happened.

February 12, 2014

Mary Morrison

Dear Lynne,

Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of your husband, Doug. You are in my thoughts as you go through this very difficult time. May the love and comfort of your family, friends and colleagues be with you.

February 12, 2014

Lois Farley

I'm very sorry to hear of Doug's passing. I enjoyed working with him on his trip to Iceland last year and was happy he had such a great time there. May he be happy in his next level of being. Lois at The Great Canadian Travel Company

February 12, 2014

Henry and Vicki Piersig

All of us at the National Yacht Club and those of the greater sailing community shall dearly miss Doug. He was an active participant and proponent of racing at ALL levels. Always eager to volunteer, he was ever ready and willing to provide his guidance and expertise unselfishly and without reservation.
Always encouraging, and urging us on to Protest, Protest, Protest he saw it as his duty to expand our racing horizons and in so doing our confidence skill, and pleasure for the sport of sailing.
He leaves us with a legacy to be proud of.

February 12, 2014

Scott Pawson

Dear Lynne, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathies. May you find comfort in your memories of your time together.

February 12, 2014

Dear Lynne, I am a friend of your mom and dad and would like to offer my condolences. Your mom and dad often talked about the great man that he was. My sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely, Marnie Baldwin, Miramichi, New Brunswick.

February 12, 2014

Howell Gotlieb

Dear Lynne, I want to express my deepest condolences on the passing of your husband, Doug.
Howell Gotlieb

February 12, 2014

Lynne, What interesting times Doug and I had together and, late in our relationship,discovered a common interest in music. Will miss his gentle, soft approach to the world
Ross Cameron

February 12, 2014

Lynne, I"m so sorry to hear of your loss. I'm sure he'll be missed by so many who knew him.
Henry Furlott

February 12, 2014

Lynn Wells

Lynne,
Doug was a larger than life kind of guy and his absence will leave a very large hole in your life, in the lives of all of us who spent time with him. I will miss his animated conversations and his passionate discussions about art, music, food, life in the neighbourhood, and sailing. You are in my thoughts and you have my heartfelt sympathy and concern.

February 12, 2014

Ron and Marj Beal

Dear Lynne: Dad and I loved Doug. He
brought so much joy to our family. He introduced us to his art and sailing worlds, and we knew how much he loved and treasured you. May he rest in peace.

February 11, 2014

Irene Wentink

Dear Lynn,
I did chose a formel text in the questbook. Could not find own words to express. The candle is for you and for Doug,
Both are shining for you for ever.
In my heart I am with you.
With and in love, Irene

February 11, 2014

Irene Wentink

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

February 11, 2014

Lynne…please accept my deepest condolences. I worked with Doug at the AGO and I feel truly blessed to have known him. He was a great man….and gallery guide…people loved his tours. We all enjoyed his sense of humour and high intellect….he was such an interesting, kind, accomplished man….he will be deeply missed and never forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace. God Bless….Wendy L.

February 11, 2014

George Hock

Lynne, I am so terribly sorry to hear of Doug's passing. He was a skilled judge, a true gentlemen, and a perfect guest when we were fortunate to have him stay with us last year for the Sonar Worlds. He was a total joy to work with, and I will miss him greatly. Please accept Andy's and my sincere condolences on your loss. We will be praying for both Doug and you.

February 11, 2014

So very sad writing this message. Heartfelt condolences! I shall remember Doug each time I'll receive an issue of Canadian Art in my mailbox, each time I will read a Scientific American. So grateful for the memories, so sad to lose a colleague and a mentor.
Dolores Steinman (AGO volunteer)

February 11, 2014

Tane Akamatsu

Lynne, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Doug. Although I did not have the opportunity to get to know him, I know that you and he shared many interests and I am sure he will be missed. Please accept my deepest condolences.

February 11, 2014

On behalf of the Wardens of the Church of St. John the Divine, our condolences to Ron and Marg Beal and to Lynne and the families. May he rest in Peace.
Maurice Woods

February 11, 2014

Mariana Mihalache

Sincere condolences to the family ,Doug was a great colleague and most of all a wonderful human being!
Mariana,AGO Volunteer

February 11, 2014

Lynne,

This is sad news.

Please accept our sincere condolences to you, your family, and all those touched by Doug during his long, productive, and enjoyable life. We wish you ease in coping with this transition.

On behalf of Don, Juanita, and the membership of the CPA Psychologists in Education section and CASP,

Joseph Snyder

February 11, 2014

Shelagh Barrington

Lynne, my condolences.
Doug was a wonderful Docent/Gallery Guide and his enthusiasm and knowledge will be missed by his fellow volunteers.

February 11, 2014

Peter and Jordyce van Muyden

Our sincere condolences Lynne. May your memories help you through your sadness. After some time, they will make you smile.

February 11, 2014

Gill and Bruce MacLachlan

A sad hello from Gill and Bruce MacLachlan in Revelstoke, BC. We heard the news of Doug's fall and were unable to connect with him at hospital by phone. We didn't get a chance to say goodbye. So many years of living on Fernwood together: street parties; celebrations; and last minute get togethers... fond memories of Doug. A reach out to Lynne and family; our thoughts are with you. We hope it's a wonderful celebration of life on Saturday. Our sincere sympathies.

February 11, 2014

Francis Fougere

Lynne, I offer my most sincere condolences to you and your family. Doug set a fine example for all sailors everywhere and the importance of volunteering in our sport and will be missed.

February 11, 2014

Our sincere condolences to Lynne and the entire family, Doug was a member of the National Yacht Club for many years and a very dedicated volunteer, he will be greatly missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Denys Jones. Commodore NYC

February 11, 2014

Chris Hobbs

Doug, quite simply you will be missed. To all friends and family, please accept our heartfelt condolences.

February 11, 2014

Terry Semple

Lynne:
- my sympathies for your loss. If, sometime later you want to talk, I am most open.
Terry Semple
905-227-0555.

February 11, 2014

Linda Lifshen

Hi Lynne
My thoughts are with you. I'm sad that you have lost Doug as your partner and support system. Hoping you find comfort in your memories.
Linda Lifshen

February 11, 2014

Kris Boksman

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Creelman. What a contribution to the field - 50 years of teaching. My thoughts are with you.

February 11, 2014

Doug was a good friend, a distinguished colleague, an admired sailor and a Beach neighbor. I visited him often in the East General and found him lucid and hopeful to the end. His death was no doubt as great a shock to him as it was to me.
David Olson

February 11, 2014

David and I were deeply sorry to learn about the death of your beloved Doug. His special contributions and his life were cut short prematurely. May you and your family find comfort knowing that you are in the thoughts of many who care about you. Sending you deepest sympathy and love,
Ester Cole

February 11, 2014

David and I were deeply sorry to learn about the death of your beloved Doug. His special contributions and his life were cut short prematurely. May you and your family find comfort knowing that you are in the thoughts of many who care about you. Sending you deepest sympathy and love,
Ester Cole

February 11, 2014

Zania McKenzie

Very sorry to hear your sad news. Please share our warmest thoughts and kindest wishes from cousins Zania & Maxine & family in Scotland xx

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