It is with a very heavy heart that I hear this news. Doug was a special cousin who became almost a brother , living with our family on the farm near London, Ontario ,Canada. Until that time , our Florida cousins arrived every summer to stay at our Grampa’s farm. As kids it was something to look forward to. Boys will be boys, & he had a knack for stirring things up.
Well, turned out Ilderton & London Ontario became his home for well over 10 years , including high school & community college. They were formative years for all of us. A family of all girls & now Doug thrown into the mix , made for challenges & camaraderie. He could seem wild & crazy, but he was so endearing. With a big heart & mischief in his eye he lived his life as a free spirit. He pushed on through hard times with creative gusto. From his decorative welding & of course his tye dye.
I can’t believe that he is gone. Our memories are not & the stories that can be told & the lives he touched living with us in Canada are many. His Graham roots run deep ; his life was colourful, no pretence. He was an “every guy” to everyone.
‘Win awa ‘ Doug . You will be loved & missed.

I’m sorry to hear your gone Tied eye Doug. You will be missed by so many. I know you’ll be watching over us with your wings.

Doug, you my friend will surly be missed. The memories I have of you, a creative and gifted artist, I will cherish always. So grateful to have known you. Doug you are a local legend. Love, your friend, Shannon.

R.I.P my friend

With a heavy heart , Werner & I wish to share our condolences on the news of Doug’s sudden tragic passing. He was not only our cousin but shared a special place in my family (Hughes), growing up. He lived with us on the farm outside of London ,Ont. for over 10 years. The formative time in our lives as young adolescents to teenagers & continuing on. In a family of 4 girls, he was the brother we never had.
He was amiable & social & ready for spontaneous fun. If there was none, he would make some , with his carefree attitude & generosity of heart. His Graham family roots ran deep as did his love for Lobo & Middlesex county. He really however did not get used to our winter climate & so Vero Beach & home pulled him back. He lived a life that was creative & his expressions of good will were felt by many. We will miss him .Thankfully we have loads of Doug stories to lean on & make us laugh.
‘Slippit awa’ cousin Doug.

Doug was a kind thoughtful fun loving person with a heart of gold. He’ll be sadly missed by this northern cousin. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Mary Lou , Greg ,Meghan ,Tony and Jesse

We love you Doug and we miss you so very much. What gift God made in you.

Doug will be missed by all of us who enjoyed his humor at Waldo’s.

Doug was one of the kindest and coolest people I ever was blessed to know in Vero. He will always be a Vero Beach treasure, the one of a kind treasures. Dougie you will be missed by many. Condolences to all his friends and family.
These Carolina skies are like his tie dye, always colorful.
RIP friend.

On behalf of the Vero Beach High School Class of 1972, we are saddened to learn of Doug’s passing. He will be remembered as a kind man, our classmate, and will never be forgotten. Sending our thoughts and prayers to Doug’s family. Rest well Doug, until we all meet again.

This was a hard hit. Doug, myself and my husband were very close for many years.
Though usually styling a bandana of his own creation, Doug had many ‘titles’ including “Diesel Doug”, as he was also a master with diesel engines. His spirit was an artistic one, however. Being a certified welder, he turned those skills to the talent of beautiful creations including magnificent copper water fountains, commissioned for purchase, that delight people to this day.
Tie dye was ‘in his blood’ (some of which I’m sure must have been John Prine’s blood!). He taught himself the guitar and entertained many with Prine’s music.
Our thoughts are with his Canadian family that he never ceased to speak of often. They were clearly an enormous part of his fondest memories in life.
Should his sister Susan find this message, I hope she would call as her old number is no longer in service. Mine remains the same. Sharing heartbreak with many here. It feels impossible to believe….
Rest in Fun my dear, dear friend. Always hoping to see you again, we are crushed by the loss of you. This heart is a very heavy one knowing that now will never happen. Love you, Douglas Graham, and will never ever forget you.

I still have the copper rose. Rest in peace, my friend.

I am so sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. I only met him about 7 years ago at the Driftwood. I have some weeks there. As it turned out we had a lot in common. I am from Petrolia, Ontario Canada….and Doug lived here for a few years and has relatives here…one being Geoff Abraham who I am friends with. Well the stories started. We had lots of laughs. Will miss you Doug the next time I get to Florida and having a drink at Waldos. R.P.I. my friend until we me again.

Such a loss to our little town of Vero Beach. It is with great sadness I write. Our world is in such need of the salt of Earth, soulful, kind spirit that our Dougie emulated to us all. A friend to all, a peaceful soul that spread laughter, a genuine listening ear and of course “color” to our world. With many years of friendship and memories to cherish , my heart aches that he left our world so abruptly yet he will never leave my heart. I am thankful my children grew up knowing such a genuine soul as Mom’s friend Tie Dye Dougie. Without a shadow of a doubt I know in my heart he will live on in those lives he touched. We just were never ready to say goodbye. My best friend, Jeannie Blatus Burke, and I are dedicating a bronze plaque to serve as a memorial and to remind us in our crazy world that such souls DO exist. This plaque will be placed at Waldo’s where he will continue to live on. Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “ Try not to become a person of success , but a person of value “ I guess our sweet Dougie had it all figured out. Shine On my friend. We will see you on the other side. I will be chasing the colors of the rainbow to find you when I reach my final destination. ☮️✌

Such a loss to our little town of Vero Beach. It is with great sadness I write. Our world is in such need of the salt of Earth, soulful, kind spirit that our Dougie emulated to us all. A friend to all, a peaceful soul that spread laughter, a genuine listening ear and of course “color” to our world. With many years of friendship and memories to cherish my heart aches that he left our world so abruptly yet he will never leave my heart. I am thankful my children grew up knowing such a genuine soul as Mom’s friend Tie Dye Dougie. Without a shadow of a doubt I know in my heart he will live on in those lives he touched. We just were never ready to say goodbye. My best friend and I are dedicating a bronze plaque to serve as a memorial and to remind us in our crazy world that such souls DO exist. This plaque will be placed at Waldo’s where he will continue to live on. Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “

Don’t know who sees this – or how it it is updated – but I am still grieving the loss of your soul sweet Dougie ✌❤️

We’re at the Driftwood again for our annual beach vacation; our second home. And I was blown away to learn of the passing of Doug Welsh. I connected with his soulful and highly creative spirit, he was so easy going and open to talk to. And how can anyone forget the beauty that he created with his art, a magnetic energy that beamed like rays from the sun. He was so prolific and yet so modest. I always knew when Dougie was here because I would look for his colourful van, I would find him and we’d chat.
The Vero Beach legend will never be forgotten. He changed many peoples lives, vacationers and locals alike.
Dougie, your spirit lives on my friend! You will never be forgotten, and I miss you. Rest easy old friend.