Doug McColeman was passionate, he was an activist, he had a strong will, he had a vision for a better world and he was committed to that vision.
Doug passed away June 18, 2014. Before he died, his friends and colleagues had been sending love and prayers from across the country, hoping that the news would be different.
Doug was an HIV activist, living with HIV for close to 30 years. He worked with GNP+ as the Canadian representative to this international coalition, as well as serving on the GNP+NA board. He was active in his hometown of Montreal, working with the AIDS Community Care Montreal, and bringing the unique perspective of a bilingual Anglophone to the community. Most recently he was involved with COCQ-SIDA as the person living with HIV/AIDS Montreal representative.
In June of 2013, the Canadian AIDS Society was honoured to have Doug join the Board of Directors as member-at-large. He took the position seriously, and was actively involved in the organization, even as his health was waning. He worked tirelessly with the People Living with HIV/AIDS Committee to plan the Annual People Living with HIV/AIDS Forum and to address issues of great importance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Canada.
It doesn’t take much to determine what kind of man Doug was. His Facebook feed is full of social issues, things that mattered to Doug. The outpouring of grief over the coming days will help us to learn to pass the days without him, and he will be remembered. Doug is survived by his partner Jacques, and his dog, Akunniq.
“Don’t forget that together we are a force to be reckoned with.” Doug McColeman, 2013