Yellowknife (Jan 07/05) - A long-time Northerner with a passion for the outdoors and travel died suddenly while on vacation in Mexico.

Swimming in the waters of Zihuatanejo, Douglas Wayne Maybroda was struck by a fishing boat Dec. 23, and suffered a spinal cord injury. The 52-year-old died three hours later.

Charges are not expected to be laid, although an investigation is ongoing.

"It was a complete accident," said Zelda Scott, Maybroda's sister.

Growing up in Yellowknife, the St. Pat's high school graduate was heavily involved in the city's athletic community, Scott said.

"He played baseball, he boxed. He was pretty much involved in every sport in Yellowknife," she said.

After graduation, the entrepreneur established a successful construction business in the city before he moved south in 1981 to pursue retail and landscaping businesses.

Several of his Frame Lake South projects still stand, including the signature A-frame he inhabited.

"He built custom houses and brought in mobile homes. He was in business all his life," said Lawrence Mercredi, a life-long Yellowknife friend of Maybroda's.

"He was just a good all-around guy, he knew everyone in Yellowknife and was very popular."

Survived by his two sons Nicholas, 21, and Troy, 20, both of his parents and three sisters, a funeral service will take place in Kelowna, B.C., Jan. 5.

Upon their return home to Yellowknife in February, Maybroda's parents will also host a service in remembrance of their son.