Douglas Bruce Fabens

 Composed by Andy Fabens

My brother Doug was born July 23, 1945, in Mendota, Illinois, a small town about 80 miles west of Chicago. Our father served as an Army Ordnance officer during the whole of World War II. His job was to set up factories at several different places in the country for the manufacture of shell casings. The family moved a lot: in the War years there were 3 boys, each born in a different city.

The War years were a distinct chapter in the life of our family. We moved back to Wooster, Ohio, which had been my parents’ hometown all along, and there Lissa made the family complete in 1949. We moved to Cleveland in 1950, living first in Bay Village and then Shaker Heights in 1958.

Doug was a boy with a sunny disposition. We three boys were often treated as a unit. I remember mom’s pleasure in putting us in matching outfits for special occasions. Each of us was quite distinct, however, in his interests and talents. Doug became a writer and journalist; and his special talent was in pleasing and entertaining others in a low key way. Those who know Doug will testify to his way with gentle humor and witty asides.

Doug attended University School, Class of ’63, but left for Howe Military School for a short time, ultimately graduating from Shaker Heights High School. After high school, he attended Ohio University, but he cut that short by joining the Navy.

For Doug the Navy was a fine place. He served during the Vietnam War as a Journalist in Saigon. He was proud of his service and respectful of everyone else who served then.

After the Service, he tried a few things and settled into a job that worked for him at the Navy Finance Center. He told me that an aspect of the work was reconciling the payrolls from ships across the world. You might say he was back in the Navy again.

Doug also took great pride and enjoyment from being a dedicated volunteer for WVIZ-PBS ideastream for many years. He worked on the pledge drives, spent a lot of time taking calls, and sported the zebra costume with panache.

Doug never married, but he was always surrounded by a large, loving family, and we have already received an outpouring of sympathy and good wishes from his many friends and fellow workers and volunteers.

Douglas B. Fabens The beloved son of the late Andrew Lawrie Fabens, Jr. and Alicia Hail Fabens; the dear brother of Andrew L. Fabens, III (Leigh) of Cleveland Hts., OH; Mary Elisabeth (Lissa) F. Solas (George) of Rehoboth, MA and the late William J.H. Fabens (Pricilla Jones of Cleveland Hts., OH). Doug was the dear uncle of Andrew Fabens IV, Jennie Kaffen, Philip Fabens-Jones, Heather LaPrade, George Solas Jr, Christopher Solas, Lindsay Leger and the late Ali Solas and the late Curtis Fabens. Doug is also survived by 17 grand nieces and nephews and was survived by many cousins. 

Those who wish may make contributions in his name to Ideastream Public Media, 1375 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115. 

Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 18th at 2 PM in St. Martin’s Chapel of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44106.