DOUGLAS CROSLEY (CROSSLEY)

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DOUGLAS CROSLEY (CROSSLEY) Canada's handsome, smooth singing baritone and entertainer, passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on Friday, March 22, 2019, at the age of 83. Doug grew up in Oshawa with his family, where he began singing at the age of six at Sunday school and in the St. Andrews church choir. While working at GM in Engineering, he won a local talent show singing "A White Sport Coat with a Pink Carnation", the rest is history. He began his television career in the late 1950s guesting on CBC's "Country Club, Holiday Ranch, Swing Easy and the Canadian Hit Parade". In the 1960s, he moved to Winnipeg to star and host the show "Swing Along" where he met and married his late wife Jean (Gray) and began his family. His big break was singing at the Brooklyn Theatre on the Bell Telephone Hour in New York City, he then signed with RCA Victor where he recorded his first album "A New Star In Town". Doug appeared on numerous national television shows "Juliette and Friends, Johnny Carson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin". He headlined numerous nightclubs and starred in lead roles on "Oklahoma, Bye Bye Birdie, Guys and Dolls, and Brigadoon". Doug's well-rounded talent also led to emceeing numerous Industrial Car shows for GM and Chrysler across North America. Doug's favourite time in the 1970s was when he had his own television show called "The Doug Crosley Show" on CBC, produced in Winnipeg. In the 1980's he sang and hosted "Stars On Ice" for CTV. In the 1990s he continued entertaining in the USA with big bands from Palm Springs to south Florida while he enjoyed his warmer winters. Doug's summer home was in Lakefield where he spent the last many years enjoying the view of Chemong Lake with his special lady and partner, Mary Elliott. Doug's voice was a gift that just kept giving and getting better. He had many friends, extended family and dear colleagues in the entertainment industry. A special thank you to his home palliative care team and hospital staff on 4F. Loving father of Nancy, son-in-law Carl, and predeceased by his son Guy. Grandfather of Hannah, Tyrah, Alexa and Mitch. To place an online donation or condolence please visit www.armstrongfh.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 30, 2019