MUSSON, Douglas-As a result of an accident while tending to his famous Christmas light display on Spruce Avenue, on Monday, December 18, 2017, Douglas Musson in his 83rd year. Beloved husband of Joanne (nee Proctor) and loving father of Gary... View Obituary & Service Information ||||| The Burlington, Ont., man who for more than 30 years put together a brilliant Christmas display that covered his home died Monday after falling from his roof while trying to fix a leak that was affecting the display. 
 
 "He was up on a ladder trying to find out why water was dripping on the pathway which might drip on visitors to the display when the ladder fell," said a statement posted Tuesday to the Musson's Famous Christmas Display website. 
 
 The statement said Doug Musson, 82, died in hospital. 
 
 Musson started decorating his home with lights in Calgary, before moving to Burlington in 1976. He had been adding more lights and figures to his display each year. 
 
 His son, Scott Musson, said his father was a family man and family meant everything to him. Another son, Cam, died in a motorcycle accident and the elaborate display included a motorbike in his honour. 
 
 Scott said his dad was "caring, and loving, and very compassionate to everyone." 
 
 Musson created a Harley-Davidson light figure in honour of his son, Cam, who died in a motorcycle accident in 1998. (Musson's Famous Christmas Display) 
 
 He said the lights were very important to people in the community because it brought them a priceless kind of happiness. It was that happiness that got his dad to put up the lights each year, and that importance was reflected in the outpouring of condolences from the community. 
 
 "People are looking for something to bring a smile to their face. Something that doesn't cost money. We put a Santa Claus that dances out every evening. The kids came to dance with it. That was Dad's favourite part " Scott said. 
 
 Lights stay on 
 
 Scott says this Christmas, there will be a void, but his family will try to push ahead. 
 
 "We want to make it a good Christmas, but it's going to be a sad one. There will never be a Christmas the same ever." 
 
 Scott said he decided to keep the lights on because it was what his dad would have wanted. 
 
 "He made this stuff. I need to show off what he did." 
 
 Scott Musson, Doug Musson's son, says his father was a family man and loved to see the kids happy. That's what motivated him to put the lights up each year. (Robert Krbavac/CBC) 
 
 'The Burlington Griswold house' 
 
 Two GoFund Me pages had been set up for the family in Hamilton and Burlington. As of Wednesday morning, one had closed and the other continues to accept donations. In total, both pages have raised $10,700 in less than a day, already past its goal of $5,000. 
 
 "Often referred to as the Burlington Griswold house," Nikki Accord of Hamilton wrote on the GoFund Me page, a reference to the family, and their excessive light display, in the movie National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. 
 
 "Every year it just keeps getting better and better and every year every Burlingtonian keeps the tradition and has to go see the Musson Christmas light display." 
 
 Scott says he'll continue his dad's legacy to keep the lights going for years to come. 
 
 Many community members and city councillors in Burlington expressed their condolences through social media. 
 
 Musson is survived by his wife Joanne and children Scott, Gary and Debra. 
 
 Scott Musson stands in front of his father's Christmas display. He says this Christmas, there will be a void without his dad. (Robert Krbavac/CBC) 
 
 Doug Musson falls while fixing his locally famous Christmas lights display on his home 0:45 
 
 This is devastating news. Doug and the Musson family have provided <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BurlON?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BurlON</a> with a wonderful display of Christmas Lights on their home for many,many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Musson family. <a href="https://t.co/3HhbMb8PYE">https://t.co/3HhbMb8PYE</a> —@RickGoldring 
 
 Sad news today. Doug Musson (of the Musson's famous Christmas display in Burlington, Ontario <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/burlon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#burlon</a> has died after falling off a ladder while tending to the very lights he loved so much. More information and donation details available at: <a href="https://t.co/OlvJb4fcrU">https://t.co/OlvJb4fcrU</a> <a href="https://t.co/fdht1GCDtU">pic.twitter.com/fdht1GCDtU</a> —@jamesburchill ||||| We normally turn the lights of January 2nd but because of a fair number of requests we will turn them on this Saturday January 5th from 5 to 10PM for one last night before they are off till next year…God willing. 
 
 Joanne Musson 
 
 A tragic loss to our Family 
 
 Doug Musson 
 
 Doug Musson in front of the motorcycle he made for his son Cam Musson after Cam was killed on his motorcycle. 
 
 On Monday December 18th/2017 tragedy struck our family. Doug Musson, Our father/husband/grandfather and great grandfather and the person who started this display and creates all the figures was killed. He was up on a ladder trying to find out why water was dripping on the pathway which might drip on visitors to the display, when the ladder fell. He died in hospital. 
 
 Our family is devastated. We debated even turning on the lights but decided he would want them on and he worked hard on making all of the displays. 
 
 We are truly appreciative of all the support and the outpouring of love by the community. 
 
 Joanne Musson (Doug’s wife) 
 
 There is a nice link from GLobal News here 
 
 Thanks so much for all the cards and letters as well as the donations. We are in tears over the outpouring love from our great community. We wish we could respond to everyone but it will be impossible but please know that every email and donation is appreciated and read by us. It has shocked us and made us realize that there are so many good people around. 
 
 Thanks to all the people who made donations to help us keep the lights on. 
 
 Our family has been decorating our home for the holidays for more than 30 years. It all started in Calgary, Alberta, Canada when my dad started to string up a few lights on the house. Every year we would add additional strings of lights. 
 
 Our family moved to Burlington, Ontario, Canada in 1976. We continued to put up lights but for some reason Dad’s interest in the lights seemed to fade. That was when I decided to take an interest in decorating the house. It started with a few strings outlining the house. Next a few wired form reindeers were added. When we noticed that people would stop and look at the lights we realized that we weren’t the only ones who enjoyed Christmas lights. That gave us the spark to get things really going. 
 
 We first decided to not only outline the house but also to “fill in” the outlines. We wanted to keep the lights different from everyone else so decided to start custom building our own figures to decorate with. 
 
 Dad got a welder and started bending steel and welding it into forms which we had drawn on paper. We then attached lights on the wire frames to bring the figures to life. 
 
 Every year we added more figures. In 1997 I decided to animate some of the figures with a light controller used by DJs. We got a dragon to wag its tail, soldiers salute, wheels to spin and fire to leave the dragon’s mouth and even a melting snowman. 2002s addition makes use of animation in a unique way. 
 
 On May 16th, 1998, our son and brother Cam was killed in a terrible accident by no fault of his. We debated not doing the display as it would be a sad Christmas without Cam. After much thought we decided rather than not do the display we would do it and add a special tribute to Cam, an animated Harley Davidson Motorcycle. 
 
 This was the most difficult figure done to date. I downloaded a picture of a Harley from Harley Davidson’s web site and converted it to a 2D outline with PhotoShop. We printed this and used it as the pattern for our motorcycle. To see how we did this click on the “how we do it” link above. 
 
 Why do we got to all the work of putting up these lights? Well, if no one came to see them we would stop doing them. We do it as a celebration of Christmas. We do it to give something back to our community. We do it to bring smiles on people’s faces. Contrary to what many may think, we do not do it for the publicity. I personally shy away from the publicity and let Dad take the lime-light. After all it was Dad who started the tradition.. 
 
 Where is the display?? When is it on?? 
 
 The display is located at 3360 SPRUCE AVENUE in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Burlington is located 30 minutes from Toronto and 30 minutes from Niagara Falls. To get here go to the QEW and exit Walkers Line. You then head South (towards the lake) on Walkers line and when you get to Spruce Ave, turn right. Go along Spruce Ave. until you see the school on your right hand side and the display is located right across from the school. If you are going to stop, please go into the school parking lot and PLEASE watch for children crossing the street. 
 
 The lights are on from December 1st to the last weekend after New Years Day from 5PM to 10 PM on weekdays and 5PM to 11PM on weekends and holidays. The back display closes at 930 daily out of respect for the neighbours. 
 
 Joanne 
 
 Can I make a donation to help with costs of the display? 
 
 Many people have been generous and helped us to maintain and improve the display. We really appreciate any donations placed in the box out front. Moneys are used to repair and upgrade the display as well as pay the huge hydro fees. Without these donations we could not continue the display but please do not feel obligated to donate. The important thing is you enjoy the display. If you want to make an online donation you can click the following button and thanks! 
 
 Donation to support display Thanks for any amount! 
 
 Many people have expressed an interest in the figures we have made for our display. If there is enough interest we may start building these for purchase. If interested please click on http://christmasdisplay.ca/rope-light-figure-orders/ and send us a message. ||||| Image copyright Musson Christmas Display Image caption The Mussons' home decked out for Christmas 
 
 A Canadian man known for his elaborate Christmas lights has died after falling from his roof while fixing the display. 
 
 For 30 years, Doug Musson was known in southern Ontario for his home's remarkable Christmas decorations. 
 
 But on Monday, the 82-year-old "family man" died when his ladder fell from the roof while he was inspecting a leak. 
 
 He was concerned the leak, which was dripping on the pavement, would cause a bystander - of which there were many - to slip and fall, his family said. 
 
 Mr Musson died in hospital, according to family. 
 
 Image copyright Musson Christmas Display Image caption Doug Musson died after falling from his roof while trying to fix his Christmas display 
 
 "Our family is devastated. I debated even turning on the lights but decided he would want them on and he worked hard on making all of the displays," his wife, Joanne Musson, wrote on the family's website, Musson Christmas Display. 
 
 Mr Musson's holiday creations started small when the family moved to Burlington, Ontario, in 1976, but took off in the 1980s and have grown more elaborate every year. 
 
 The entire property - from the eaves of the house to the trees - was dripping in thousands of lights. He also hand-welded wire sculptures to create little "scenes" on his lawn, from a Santa Claus contain 1,200 miniature lights to an archway containing 6,000 more in the driveway. 
 
 Image copyright Musson Christmas Display Image caption Doug Musson by the Harley light sculpture he created to honour his son Cam 
 
 "Why do we got to all the work of putting up these lights?" his son, Scott Musson, wrote on the family's website before the accident. 
 
 "Well, if no-one came to see them we would stop doing them. We do it as a celebration of Christmas. We do it to give something back to our community. We do it to bring smiles on people's faces." 
 
 After Mr Musson's other son, Cam, died in a motorcycle accident in 1998, he crafted an illuminated Harley Davidson figurine in his memory. 
 
 Image copyright Musson Christmas Display Image caption Doug Musson said the display used nine circuits before they switched to efficient LED lights 
 
 Online, Mr Musson wrote that before switching to LEDs, the display used nine circuits of power. 
 
 The house has been called the Burlington Griswold House, after Chevy Chase's famously lit-up home in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. ||||| Burlington community mourns man famous for Christmas light displays A Burlington community is mourning after the death of a longtime resident known for his impressive holiday displays. 
 
 Doug Musson and his family moved to 3360 Spruce Ave. in Burlington in 1976, an address that became famous over the years for its elaborate Christmas light decorations. ( Hamilton Spectator ) 
 
 Doug Musson and his family moved to 3360 Spruce Ave. in Burlington in 1976, an address that became famous over the years for its elaborate Christmas light decorations. He died Monday evening at the age of 82 after falling from a ladder while inspecting a part of the house. The Mussons had already started a holiday decorating tradition when they lived in Calgary, and they brought it with them when they relocated. 
 
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 “It started with a few strings outlining the house. Next a few wired form reindeers were added,” his son Scott wrote in an online post. “When we noticed that people would stop and look at the lights we realized that we weren’t the only ones who enjoyed Christmas lights. That gave us the spark to get things really going.” The intricate displays grew from there. First the family decided to outline the house, and then filled in the space in between. Next, Musson began custom-building decorations and welding them together, and attached lights to them to bring them to life. “Every year we added more figures. In 1997 I decided to animate some of the figures with a light controller used by DJs. We got a dragon to wag its tail, soldiers salute, wheels to spin and fire to leave the dragon’s mouth and even a melting snowman,” wrote his son. 
 
 The Mussons had already started a holiday decorating tradition when they lived in Calgary, and they brought it with them when they relocated. ( Cathie Coward ) 
 
 After his father’s death, Scott wrote a post on the family website and said this could be the final year they put up the lights. “Our family is devastated. I debated even turning off the lights but decided he would want them on and he worked hard on making all of the displays,” he said. “Dad was the breadwinner of the family with a small business providing the only income to this family and we will be financially devastated. Any contributions would be appreciated.” 
 
 Musson’s son Scott is a former doctor. He was stripped of his medical license in 2001 by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The college found he had sexually abused four teenage boys. When reached by the Star about the ruling, Scott said he wanted to “keep this whole thing on a positive happy level for people. It’s my dad and my mom that are being affected, I just happen to be their son.” 
 
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 Since Monday, though, a GoFundMe page for the Mussons was started, and got $7,730 in donations, surpassing its $5,000 goal. The page description asked locals to donate to help the family in a time of tragedy and need, and also for “the hope to keep the lights aglow in memory of the man who made everyone’s Christmas around him merry and bright.” 177 people helped surpass the goal in 16 hours, according to the page. “Visiting this home has been a tradition since I was a little girl and it breaks my heart to hear of this tragedy in the community, and especially so close to Christmas,” wrote one donor. “I know the entire Burlington community is here to support you in your time of need.” Many other contributors also commented and said they’d visited the house for years, some since childhood, and that it brought joy into their lives during the holidays. Scott said he didn’t know who made the page but he is surprised and grateful. “People have been so loving since this. Someone we don’t even know set up a GoFundMe page to help us. I’m shocked at the love expressed by our community,” he said in an email. Even Rick Goldring, the mayor of Burlington, tweeted his condolences. “This is devastating news. Doug and the Musson family have provided #BurlON with a wonderful display of Christmas Lights on their home for many,many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Musson family,” he said. A Facebook page has also been created to set dates for when community members can come to pay their respects. About 1,000 people are interested so far. “Why do we go to all the work of putting up these lights? Well, if no one came to see them we would stop doing them,” Scott said at the end of his post. “We do it as a celebration of Christmas. We do it to give something back to our community. We do it to bring smiles on people’s faces.” The lights will be up until New Year’s Day. ||||| "I've often said to them, 'you're the youngest old people I know.' They would always laugh and chuckle at that but it was so true. They were so young and dynamic, a great example of commitment and community not just locally, but globally to help others." 
 
 "Every family has seen their trouble, challenges and tragedies and they have borne with it all; they've only brought light and love into the world around them. Magnificent people." 
 
 The Musson's popular Christmas light display was evidence of Christmas spirit, of Christian faith, and lighting the world for one another," said Weatherdon. "They're the kindest people you could ever meet." 
 
 Musson also leaves behind five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, sisters Rosalind and Shirley, and many nieces and nephews. 
 
 Visitations will be held at the 2366 Headon Rd. church on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. 
 
 A service will also take place at the church on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 1 p.m., followed by an interment at Halton Hills Memorial Gardens, 3353 Guelph Line. 
 
 The family is accepting flowers for the visitation and service. 
 
 “Thank you Mr. Musson. We didn't know you personally but were the beneficiaries of your beautiful displays. It was an annual event for our family to visit your light display every year. You touched the lives of so many,” wrote Diane Miller, on behalf of her family, on Musson’s tribute page. 
 
 Sherry Booth moved to Burlington with her husband in 1996 and became parents in November 1997, she wrote, noting they had heard about Musson’s home from the community and visited it for the first time that year a few weeks after their son was born. 
 
 “Not having any family here, we had to create our own family traditions and each year we would visit your home. In 2000, my daughter was born, so the four of us each year would go to your home to enjoy the spirit you shared with the Burlington Community,” Booth continued. 
 
 “Last night, my daughter and I went to your home and for the first time this year, the crowd was silent as they stood and paid respects to Doug…. Christmas is in the heart and that is where Doug is now... in the hearts of all that came over the years.... Your family has touched so many,” she wrote. 
 
 “Our condolences to your family. May the Lord offer comfort in your time of need and hold you when you need to be held.... Peace be with you all.” 
 
 Laura Souza wrote she was in shock at the news. 
 
 “Mr. Musson spent his life in service, as with his final deeds on earth. Thank you for all the memories. My prayers are with your family at this time,” she wrote. 
 
 “I have been taking my children and now my grandchildren to see this family’s fantastic display of love and caring, and to show them what real Christmas spirit is all about... making others smile,” wrote Nancy Taylor. 
 
 “I can’t imagine the shock and pain the Musson family is feeling, but know our entire community grieves along with you. The Taylor family.” 
 
 –– with files from Kathy Yanchus
– Doug Musson's home has become a spectacle each December for more than three decades, decorated top to bottom in Christmas lights. But this year, visitors aren't just flocking to the home in Ontario, Canada, to take in the sights. They're also paying tribute to the man who made the Christmas season extra colorful, reports the Burlington Post. While up on a ladder tending to his display Monday, the 82-year-old Burlington man fell and was later pronounced dead at a hospital, reports the CBC. Burlington's mayor calls the news "devastating," particularly as Musson had been trying to fix a leak causing water to drip on a sidewalk, for fear a visitor might slip and fall, per the BBC. In the days since, locals have left tributes to how Musson's lights became part of their own Christmas traditions. "You touched the lives of so many," reads one. Musson started out hanging lights on his home in Calgary, Alberta. After the family moved to Ontario in 1976, he started adding bigger and better lights each year, per the Toronto Star. "He worked hard on making all of the displays" which were custom-built, including a motorcycle marked with the name Cam, in honor of Musson's son who died in a motorcycle accident in 1998, his wife writes on the family's website. "I debated even turning on the lights [following his death] but decided he would want them on." His goal was to bring smiles to people's faces, says Musson's son, Scott. He adds he'll keep the display going because it's what his father would've wanted. "We put a Santa Claus that dances out every evening. The kids came to dance with it. That was Dad's favorite part," he tells the CBC. But "there will never be a Christmas the same ever." (Christmas lights can be seen from space.)