Douglas Jay Morin

Douglas Jay Morin, 64, of Lawrence, MA, passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday, March 8, 2026. To know Doug was to know a man of many multitudes. Immovable. Constant. Prickly at the edges and cavernous with compassion, a mountain of a presence in every room he entered, and an even larger one in the hearts of those he loved.

Born in Methuen on November 7, 1961, Doug arrived into the world alongside his twin brother, Jonathan. He was the son of the late Julien R. "Bull" Morin and Valentine R. (Dube) Morin, and was raised and educated in Methuen, graduating from the Greater Lawrence Vocational School. During his high school years, he was proud to serve as captain of the football team and played on the hockey team-the kind of sports fitting for someone who never backed down from a challenge.

After graduation, Doug worked briefly in HVAC before landing in plumbing, a trade that suited a man who was always most at home working with his hands. He was a fixer in every sense of the word-a jack of all trades whose capable hands could turn raw wood into a birdhouse, a walking stick, or an intricately carved pumpkin or watermelon. He was known for his signature napkin roses, crafted and given away at any gathering, always requesting extra napkins to make sure no one went without.

But Doug's gifts were never just with his hands. He was a man of tremendous curiosity. The kind of father who caught bullfrogs in the wetlands beside the backyard and set them free again, who could identify a bird by its song alone and would point out on car rides how to spot the difference between a turkey vulture, an eagle, and a hawk (a lesson his children may still be working on). He fostered in his children a deep love of learning and adventure: through the History Channel droning on in the background about ancient civilizations and world wars, summer trips to the Museum of Science bookended by a slice of pizza from Regina's Pizzeria, and expeditions up north to New Hampshire's fire tower trails, where he would point out the view and name every bird, every tree, and every natural wonder on the way up.

He was happiest outdoors: skiing Wildcat Mountain with his brother David, taking his daily walks with his beloved dogs, or simply standing in the yard listening to the world. He seemed to know someone everywhere he went, and if he didn't, he soon would. He could do a human flag off a pole well into his fifties and laugh about it afterward. He was the neighbor who showed up when you needed him, the friend who would argue you into the ground. He was a stubborn bull and a steadfast helper with a tremendous heart, and those who loved him knew those were two sides of the same coin. To many in the Merrimack Valley, he will forever be remembered affectionately as "Sweet Dougie Mo."

Doug is survived by his children: Courtney Morin and her fiancé Evan Shaheen of Methuen, Garrett Billingsley and longtime girlfriend, Kelly Murray of Greenwood, IN, Danielle Pringle and her husband Caleb of Ft. Myers, FL; and Christine Billingsley, his legal wife, dear friend, and mother to Courtney and Garrett. He is also survived by his siblings: Michael Morin and his wife Angela of Westbrook, CT, Stevie Morin and his wife Rebecca of Ocala, FL, David Morin and his wife Cynthia of Londonderry, NH, Gregory Morin and his wife Stacey of Methuen, Jonathan Morin and his wife Regina of Plaistow, NH, Lisa Morin and her partner Jim Spaulding of Narragansett, RI, and Brendan Morin of Bradford, MA, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, beloved friends, and his dear dog, Ella. He predeceased by his father Julien Morin and mother Valentine Morin; brother Tim Morin and his wife Mary; and much-loved dog, Tanner.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Doug's memory to Lazarus House Ministries, by mail at P.O. Box 408, Lawrence, MA 01842, or online at lazarushouse.org.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley Street, Methuen, MA. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the funeral home chapel. Following services at the funeral home, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Lawrence British Club, 80 Cambridge Street, Lawrence MA.