Elwin "Doug" William Fairbanks, Jr., 76, of Orange City, FL and formerly of Whitney Point, NY, passed away on January 9, 2022 of a sudden onset of COVID pneumonia.  We are all saddened and in shock.                                    

Always known as 'Doug',  he was predeceased by his Father,  Elwin W. Fairbanks, Sr. and his Mother, Edna J. Smith Fairbanks Brooks; on his fathers side, Aunt's Velma Fairbanks Fisher;  Bessie Fairbanks Herzberg;  Uncle Edwin Fairbanks. On his mothers side, Uncle's Bert Smith; Larry Smith (Kathy), and Larry's son, Rick Smith (Tammy );  Erwin 'Smitty' Smith (Charlotte); Aunt's,  Beverly Smith Burlingame Rosenkrans LaPort Feraco (Mike deceased);  Susan Smith Smith (Wayne deceased); Cousin's, Barbara 'Barbie' Burlingame Smith (Greg); Bobby Burlingame; Kenny Burlingame.   And Grandparents, Grandma Bertha Dorr Smith Brightsen and Grandpa George Smith.

Doug is survived by his loving and caring Wife of 33 years, Barbara "BJ" Oakley Crooks Weiland Fairbanks.

His Daughters, who were the apple of his eye:  Lisa Fairbanks Collins; Lynda Fairbanks McRorie Ott (Danny) PA and Bridget Fairbanks Beck (Murray) WV;  His adoring grandchildren:  Brooke Beck;  Bradley, Trevor and Tiffany Collins;  Gary and Melissa McRorie; and His only sibling, Sister Starlett 'Star' Fairbanks Popeck MacLeod (Joseph),  and her children, Kara Popeck Mohren (NJ), Krista Popeck  (CO), Jimmy Popeck, William Popeck, Nikki MacLeod; His cousins, Patty Burlingame D'Achille (Robert ); Valerie Burlingame Gana( ); Greg Burlingame;  Doug Smith (Tressa).

He was always a caring 'Dad' to his Wife's children, and their children:  Randy M. Crooks (Randy 'RJ' Crooks Jr; Venetia Crooks Carey);  Lori A. Crooks Hustus Santangelo (Peter) NC ( Candis Hustus Wiedegreen FL; Orion Santangelo NC);  Lynn M. Crooks Richmond (Patrick deceased) (Miranda Richmond De La Torre,  Lauren,  Emily);  Todd E. Crooks (Jeffrey). 

His Uncle, Elmer Fairbanks of Brisben, NY (a golf wonder at 98 years of age and twin to his Dad, Elwin); Elmer's children,  Bruce TX,  Dale CO and Candy Fairbanks Ali NY; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

 Special mention of a childhood cousin who was more like a brother, Walt "Sonny" Herzberg FL...they were inseparable, sharing laughter, jokes and pranks!  And to his nephew "Boomer" (Jimmy Popeck) NY, loved his jokes and his band 'Recycled Zombies', enjoying the many times he sat in on drums; and to all his Florida Friends, he enjoyed you all very much!

'Doug' worked at the NYS Psych Center for 30+ years.   After retiring he drove School Bus for 15+ years and gained the respect of so many teens; and he loved listening to the Head Start kiddies singing along to his Bus Radio, especially to the song 'Red Solo Cup'...they knew all the words!  He so enjoyed the Whitney Point Girls Field Hockey and Softball Teams , driving them to games and tournaments, and felt so honored when asked to drive them to Myrtle Beach, SC.   He loved his Eagles.  They were his school's mascot and WP was home of many nests in the area!  He also drove for Coach USA for a short period of time.  and he did a special road trip for the Tommy Dorsey Band when their driver became ill.   One summer he delivered for the Fuller Brush Co. and then Avon, traveling all over New York State and parts of Pennsylvania. 

Doug loved most everything he did, loved telling stories about them,  and loved kids.  He loved all music but his real love was playing drums in his band, The Chenango County Ramblers, a very popular country band in the late 70's, early 80's; he really enjoyed the group 'Guns & Roses' and Singer, Johnny Cash.  He loved listening to youngsters playing their beginner drums!  His favorite songs were 'Sweet Child of Mine' and  'We Are The Champions'.   Doug loved watching the old TV shows!  He was a constant fan of Gibbs on NCIS, all the old Westerns especially John Wayne, the old Emergency series and CHIPS!

He loved working with 4-H kids, hauling their horses to Trail Rides, Horse Shows and many NYS State Fairs, where he also Showed his favorite Quarter Horse Palomino, PJ.   He loved his John Deere Lawn Tractor, riding it for hours, mowing his lawn in patterns, mowing his neighbors lawns and fields, and even tipping it over, down a bank and into the creek!   

He loved his many trucks!  If there is an 18-Wheeler school in Heaven he will be the first in line.  His CB handle was 'Thumper'.   He loved NASCAR's #88!  He got so excited when his license plate read 88 that he put the plate on upside down, driving from FL to NY before someone told him!  It also happened to be the  Lot No. where he lived in Florida, too. 

But most of all, he loved his Wife, BJ.....always surprising her with little flower bouquets!  He had the patience of a saint!  With his pet, Toby,  by his side, he usually napped in the car or played Solitaire on his cell phone  while waiting for her to shop or get haircuts; and he could stop the car on a dime and turn around quick when she yelled 'Stop'....to take  pictures of something that caught her eye!  Theirs was a true love!

Doug was very vocal when it came to his Family name.  He was so proud of the fact that all Fairbanks' are related, and the builders of the oldest, surviving timber-frame, wood house in North America, The Fairbanks House, ca. 1641.  Puritan settler Jonathan Fairbanks constructed the farm house for his wife Grace and their family.  The historic Homestead, located in Dedham, Mass.  is now a Museum!

He was a member of the Whitney Point Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, Maine Mavericks Horse Club, Central NY Horse Club and was very active in the Chenango County 4H Horse Club. 

He loved the Florida sunshine!   A Celebration of Life was held at their Florida residence on January 15th, 2022.    Doug is a member of the River of Life Church of Volusia.  Pastor Gene Gregory presided over the Celebration.  Wonderful memories were shared by many,  followed by Prayer.

Smart Cremation is handling all arrangements.  There is no other service planned in Florida.  There will be a Celebration of Life in NY announced later this year.

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