Obituary of Douglas F. Cutbush

DOUGLAS F. CUTBUSH, FCIP, FCIArb, C.Arb November 7, 1932 - February 22, 2023 Douglas died peacefully at the North York General Hospital Seniors' Health Centre where he lived with Mary, his beloved wife of 61 years. He was very proud of his family as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, as well as being a revered uncle. He loved being surrounded by family and friends, embracing a very active lifestyle which included tennis, swimming, biking and skiing right up until his 87th year. He was born in London, England and started his working career at the young age of 15 in the Lloyd's of London insurance market with Willis, Faber & Dumas as a claims broker, followed by his National Service in The Royal Marines and then as a marine claims settler and cargo underwriter for A.J. Whittall. Doug immigrated to Canada in May 1956 and loved recounting the story of finding a position as a claims examiner with Willis, Faber & Company, Canada, within only two days after arriving in Toronto. Following a succession of positions at Willis, Doug joined Cornhill Insurance Company Ltd. and it was during this time that he met the love of his life, Mary (née Brown), who had emigrated from Dublin to Toronto. Following Cornhill, Doug joined Gerling Global Insurance where he worked for 32 years handling some of Canada's largest industrial lines insurance claims and holding several successful positions in both Gerling's insurance and reinsurance entities including Senior Vice-president and Claims Manager for Canada. Following his retirement from Gerling in 1992, Doug established his own firm, Douglas F. Cutbush & Associates Ltd., to provide insurance-related consulting, arbitration, appraisal and mediation services up until 2018. During this time, he was also a long-serving Board of Directors member of the Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO) serving on their Executive, Audit and Conduct Review Committees. Doug was a well-respected claims expert and a strong supporter of the Canadian insurance industry including being a lifetime member of the Canadian Insurance Claims Managers' Association. Doug's true passions in life were his family and hobbies. He and Mary travelled throughout North America, Europe and Asia and wintered over two decades in Kiawah Island, SC. Doug enjoyed biking and swimming in Thornbury together with Mary, his children and grandchildren. He was an avid tennis player and a long-standing member at The Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club where he had several lifelong friends. He was also a keen skier which he was able to do with his grandchildren in Alberta, BC and Collingwood until just a few years ago. Loving father of Jane (Roger), Paul (Silvana); and devoted grandfather of Hayley, Jeremy, Niall and Ava. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Lillian; and two siblings, Doris and Iris. Doug was a kind-hearted and generous man with a keen sense of humor appreciated by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed and his memory will be cherished by his family and friends. The family are thankful to Seniors' Health Centre for the excellent care he received and would like to thank Carol-Ann, Marco, Joanne and Ana and the rest of the excellent staff on the 3rd and 4th floors. Family and friends visitation on Sunday March 5th at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles (1403 Bayview Avenue) between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Funeral service on Monday, March 6th at 11 a.m. at St. John's York Mills Anglican Church (19 Don Ridge Drive). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to NYGH Seniors' Health Centre.

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