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Douglas McAdam Leahey, age 82, died of cancer peacefully in his home in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. He is greatly missed by his loving wife Maureen (Pugwash), twin brother, Stephen (Dennice, Pugwash), brother John Leahey (Suzanne, Toronto), 3 sisters-in-law, 9 nieces/nephews, 20 great nieces/nephews and 2 great great nieces and nephews. He was the son of Gerard Leahey and Greta Van Buskirk Leahey Dow of Nova Scotia.

Douglas and his twin brother, Stephen, began their educational journey in a humble one-room school house in South Pugwash. Their mother, Greta, was not only their first teacher but also a strong advocate for the importance of education. This early foundation led Douglas to pursue studies at Saint Mary's University (1961-1962) before completing his BSc. in Honours Physics at Dalhousie University (1963). He subsequently worked as a sea ice forecaster in Halifax and then as an upper air forecaster at Montreal airport. He graduated with a M.Sc. in Meteorology from McGill in 1966.

Douglas' intellectual curiosity and deep passion for meteorology and climate science drove him to enter a doctoral program at New York University where he studied urban air pollution and worked as a Research Scientist (1968-1971). While in New York City he met Maureen Neus in Greenwich Village. They bonded quickly with similar ideas and interests and became happily married.  Douglas considered her the treasure of his life.

Following completion of his PhD in Air Pollution, Meteorology in 1971, Douglas and Maureen moved to Calgary where Maureen worked initially as a nurse and Douglas worked for Bovar Environmental Services/Western Research (1972-1994) providing consultation to many companies. He was the Principal Scientist, Meteorology, at Jacques Whitford Environment Ltd. (1994-2002) and from 2002-2011 at DM Leahey & Associates Ltd. Douglas' calm presence and ability to succinctly grasp and distill complex issues into actionable advice invited many clients to hire him as an expert witness at over 100 hearings before various public, provincial, and national regulatory boards.

While Douglas was busy with his consulting activities and was not a traditional academic, he nonetheless happily published in his spare time on such topics as climate change, urban heat island effects, ozone depletion, atmospheric turbulence, flare plume dimensions, flare efficiencies, and the questionable assumptions underlying numerical weather forecasting. He authored 45 peer reviewed journal articles, 15 other publications/reports and gave more than 20 national and international presentations. His international work included being Advisor National Energy Policy Prime Minister's Office, Thailand (1992-1993) and Advisor Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, India (1994).

Both Maureen and Douglas very much enjoyed their forty years in Calgary with its cultural riches and outdoor environment. They delighted in the hiking pleasures at Lake O'Hara Lodge and also enjoyed travelling to visit 66 different and wonderful countries. In 2011 they retired to Douglas' home village of Pugwash where his mother and twin brother lived. He appreciated building their home on Pugwash Point and found the community very welcoming and enriching.  Douglas was an avid reader especially of history, loved flowers, enjoyed the camaraderie of the table at gourmet gatherings, appreciated Bridge afternoons and was happy to be involved with horse racing. Douglas was the family photographer generously sharing his annual albums with all.

During retirement in Pugwash, Douglas and Maureen became involved in local activities reflecting their passions and the values instilled in Douglas' early days in the one room school house. Their home on Pugwash Point became a gathering place for neighbors, friends, and family. Douglas' conversations will long be remembered…wonderful meandering discussions touching on politics, religion, and everything in between…a mix of challenge and camaraderie, insight and wit. His generosity, sense of wonder, boundless curiosity, unrelenting spirit, refusal to be defined by limitations and deep appreciation for all that life offers live on in memory. Carpe diem!

The family is deeply grateful to the Cumberland Palliative Care team and the VON for their  compassionate care.

Donations can be made to Friends of Science or a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements will be private. Details about a Celebration of Life will be forthcoming.