Douglas R. Osgood

The Reverend Douglas R. Osgood passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 92. He is remembered for all that he did in his life to care for other people.
Doug is survived by his loving wife, Carol Carlson Osgood, to whom he was married for 67 years, and his two children, Mark and Marcia. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Grace Hirschberg (and her husband, Danny) Faye Osgood (and her wife Martina), Lewis Holland, and his great grandson, Oliver Hirschberg.
Douglas was born in Bristol, CT, in 1932, to Arthur and Lucy Osgood. Doug was also predeceased by his two brothers, Arthur and Robert. All three brothers served as Ministers in the New York and Massachusetts Conferences of the United Methodist Church.
Douglas attended the Eastman School of Music, the University of Connecticut and Drew University School of Theology. Following the Eastman School of Music, as an oboist, Doug enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served at Sampson Air Force Base in Geneva, NY, and in Seoul, Korea.
Early invitations to consider the Ministry and the experiences in Korea led to Doug's commitment to studies to become a pastor. While at the University of Connecticut, he continued his dedication to the oboe. It was there that he met the love of his life, Carol, in the library of the School of Music.
As part of Doug's Pastoral Ministry, he was a member of the New York Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was faithfully committed to serving congregations in East Hampton, NY, Goshen, NY, Woodstock, NY, Fairfield, CT, Pawling and Poughquag, NY. Doug also served as a District Superintendent of the Hudson West District, where he reached a broad number of people within those member churches. He went on to direct the outdoor ministries for three campgrounds within the NY Conference. In retirement, he served as pastor in Cold Spring and South Highland, NY, and Ridgefield, CT.
Doug and Carol lived in later years in Shelton, CT, where they were active members of both the Wesley Village retirement community and the First UMC.
Doug and Carol shared a lifelong commitment to each other, their family, people they helped, and to their shared interest in music. Doug was also an avid gardener and grew plants wherever they lived. Doug and Carol actively served Older Adult and Native American ministries, and traveled to Haiti and Bolivia to support local churches meeting basic needs for people in the community, such as clean water and safe housing.
A memorial service will be held on Friday February 21 at 12 PM, at the First United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road, Shelton, CT. Please join the family to celebrate the life of Doug Osgood. In lieu of flowers please send donations to: American Indian College Fund, P.O. Box 172449, Denver, CO 80217-9673 or Global Ministries/UMCOR GPO, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068. Please make checks payable to Advance GCFA. Online condolences can be left for the family at www.riverviewfh.com.