Richard "Dick" Douglas

My Dad, Dick Douglas, passed away in the early morning of Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The man I always thought would go in some legendary accident on the lake, instead got stuck in a body that couldn't keep up. Though he struggled with a failing body over the past several years, he continued to beam with love and appreciation of life, winning the hearts of his caretakers with his bright eyes and big smile. Dad passed away knowing that he was loved immeasurably.
Dad's heart will forever be at Pawtuckaway, the lake and woods that he loved. He spent more time on the water and in the woods than he ever spent at home. He grew up on Pawtuckaway, on White's Grove. The lake is where he met my mom, Cathy. He was boating and she was skinny dipping. He went waterskiing in his tux on his wedding day. He hunted, fished, and trapped, fed us turtle and squirrel, and once brought beaver sandwiches to a church potluck. He had his favorite hornpout fishing spot in Fundy.
In the winter, Dad packed each pocket of his snowsuit with beers and spent the days walking the lake, checking in with ice fisherman. He was not afraid of thin ice. He walked on ice that sunk with his steps, stood on the edge of open water to fish, and drove his trucks on ice that many of us wouldn't walk on. The frozen lake is where he taught me and others how to drive.
Dad was a machinist. He could craft replacement parts for anything that was broken, regardless of whether it was worth fixing. He brought more home from the Nottingham dump than he ever threw away.
Dad had three kids – his daughter, Dawn, his son, Jim, and me, Amy. He gave us all his love of the outdoors, and he taught us to embrace the things in life that make us happy. Dad loved kids, and they loved him. He was a very special Grampa or Uncle Dick to his grandkids, nieces, and nephews. He taught the kids how to drive boats and how to clean fish. He was the oldest of four siblings: Larry, Marlene, and Lisa. Above all, Dad loved his family.
He loved the ocean, too. Growing up, when he wasn't at Pawtuckaway, he was in Seabrook or Newburyport. He picked clams and went deep sea fishing whenever he could.
Of course, there is so much more to my dad than this, and everyone who has known him has stories to tell. He left us all with endless memories of fun, love, humor, and adventure. Thank you, Dad, for the love and life you have given us.
Dick Douglas – Forever in the woods of Pawtuckaway. January 30, 1947 – November 26, 2025.
A celebration will be held on the lake on Saturday, January 31. All are welcome. Donations in Dad's memory can be made to the Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association at https://pawtuckawaylake.com/