01/14/2021
Rob, Natasha Cousens and family are inviting Dougie’s friends for a celebration of his life this Saturday, January 16th at 2:00pm at Nelson Boatyard.
From Rob and Natasha Cousens,:
Robert Douglass Cousens Jr. “Doug” 75
A resident of Gulf Shores, AL died on January 7, 2021 in Mobile, AL. He was born in Bronx, NY November 2, 1945 and moved with his family to Miami, FL in 1953.
He is survived by his son Robert D Cousens III (Natasha) and 3 grandchildren; Madison Cousens, Sydney Cousens and Robert D Cousens IV, his brother Raymond Cousens (Mary), his sister Marie Brown, Nephews and Nieces; Eric Cousens, Theresa Crandall (Reese), Sean Cousens (Courtney), Rian Cousens, Mary Jo Copa (Glen) and grandniece and nephew Adley Cousens and Colson Cousens, Tom, Beverly and Danny Michie, Mary Ruth Cooper and all the Cooper family. The many friends who Doug considered family; Jimmy, Kelly, Gator, Cecile, Lucy, Hatch, Millie, Casey, Jenny Lynn, C.R., Andi, Charlee, Patrick and Marie, Earl, Danny Fortin, Mark and Cindy, Matt, Tommy, Tracey, Lloyd, and too many others to list as Doug was a friend to most anyone who met him.
He was preceded in death by his brother Steven E Cousens, brother-in-law Pete Brown, and his parents Robert D Cousens Sr. and Theresa A Cousens.
His mother was a diver and encouraged him to train as well. At the age of 13 Doug won 1stPlace in the Junior Olympics for Diving. He also worked as a short order cook, beach and pool attendant at some of the Miami Beach resorts.
He joined the United States Air Force at 17 serving from 1963 to 1971 reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. Assigned to numerous Radar Squadrons, he was stationed in Ajo AZ, Baudette MN, Amarillo TX and Ft. Yukon AK.
From 1976 to 1995 he worked for Scott Paper Company/Sappi North America in Mobile, AL. His speed and energy earned him the nickname “hummingbird” from his co-workers. A tenacious work ethic and mechanical knowledge took him from hourly employee to Mill and Maintenance Manager at his retirement.
At 50 his love for the water and desire to stay closer to his son and grandchildren took him to Gulf Shores, AL where he spent the next 25 years “playing and filling gaps” he would say. The bulk of his time was spent in and around Nelson’s Boat Yard doing what he loved; working with his hands. Doug did everything because he could do anything from tearing apart wreckage, rebuilding a 42 foot trawler into his “Toy Box”, creating playhouses and numerous helpful inventions.
There truly was nothing Doug could not do it seems. He was always toiling away at something with a smile and a whistle that was uniquely him. You could count on Doug for his strength and kindness, his generosity of time and energy which seemed to have no limit.
A loved one recently said if the world was full of “Big Doug’s” there would be no problems; no truer words could be said.
“Hummingbird”, “Big Doug”, Dougie, Granddaddy, Uncle Doug, Dad, Brother… you are and will be dearly missed. We love you.
