LONG-SERVING paramedic, John George Douglas, has died at the age of 72.

He was a paramedic with the IW Ambulance Service for 38 years, and was awarded three medals for long service and good conduct.

Mr Douglas, of Shanklin, was born in the East end of Sunderland in 1946, then moved to the Island in his early twenties.

Through his work in the ambulance service, he was known to many people on the Island. Although he was a private man, he was known for his straight talking.

As a representative for Unison, he helped support and advise many NHS staff requiring assistance.

Following his retirement in 2012, he registered with the staff bank at St Mary’s Hospital and returned to work with the ambulance service for a further four-and-a-half years as a patient transport driver.

Mr Douglas was also an experienced and passionate traveller, having visited numerous destinations worldwide, and he always returned home with many stories about his trips and adventures, accompanied with hundreds of photographs.

He had three children, June, Amy and Allen, and was grandfather to 10 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at the IW Crematorium at 11.15am on Wednesday, May 22. Family and friends are welcome.

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