Douglas Coldwell Sr.

1947 - 2021

Douglas J. Coldwell, Sr., 74

BERLIN - Doug J. Coldwell was born on June 30, 1947, to the late Norman S. and Miriam F. (Dupree) Coldwell of Berlin, Massachusetts. He attended Berlin public schools and Tahanto Regional High School, graduating in 1965. On December 21, 1968, Doug married his high school sweetheart, Patricia I. Condon. Doug completed three years of study at Babson College prior to serving in the Army in Viet Nam. After his honorable discharge in August of 1971, Doug and Patricia relocated to Bolton with their young family.

Doug spent many summers in his youth at "camp", a cabin on Bare Hill Pond in Harvard which his father, Norman, had built. He was an avid skier in his youth and rediscovered the sport in his 40's and was especially fond of the Sugarloaf resort in Maine. He was a skilled woodworker and always had multiple home improvement projects going. Doug owned and managed Coldwell's Lumber and Building Materials in Berlin for many years, eventually selling the company to National Lumber.

Doug and Pat moved to their current residence on Larkin Rd. in Berlin, Massachusetts, in 2005, where he created a simple heart pattern of unmowed grass in their nearby field facing Rt 62. "The Heart," as it is known by family and friends, has been the subject of a segment on Chronicle, and is regularly visited by people inspired by its simple message of love.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1999, Doug passed away due to complications from the disease at his home while embraced by the love of his family on Sunday, August 1, 2021. He enjoyed the numerous visits from friends and family in the final weeks of his life. Doug will always be remembered as a kind and generous spirit with boundless energy and a willingness to help anyone around him.

Doug is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pat Coldwell of Berlin, MA; a son, Douglas Coldwell Jr. and his wife Sukey Lawler, their children, Rosina and Eric Coldwell of Whately, MA; a daughter, Jennifer Coleman and her husband Garth Coleman and their children Isabelle and Jonathan Coleman of Sterling, MA.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, August 4th in the North Cemetery, Highland St, Berlin; a reception and time to share memories will follow. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Berlin Food Pantry, 23 Linden St # 6, Berlin, MA 01503, www.berlinfamilyfoodpantry.org), an organization Doug and Pat have supported for many years.

Arrangements are under the care of Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough.

www.HaysFuneralHome.com