Arthur Dougall

Dougall, Arthur
VENICE, Fla. - On March 23, 2025, the Good Lord came down and said, "Art, your worldly suffering is done. Come home with me." Even though it broke our hearts, we find solace in the fact that Parkinson's Disease can touch him no more. Born in Waterford, N.Y., on December 30, 1957, skirting in before the end of the year so his parents could claim him on their taxes, it would be clear Art had a business mind. He loved computers and the corporate world from the day he stepped into the tape library, at the then State Bank of Albany, Art knew he was where he belonged. His career spanned over many years and places, such as the McAuto Systems Group, GE, and even opening his own consulting firm, Systems Software Alternatives with his good friend, Tom Lajeunesse, ending his career as Vice President/Manager of mainframe services at Bank of America, when he had to step away at the age of 45. He thrived on problem solving and raising people to their highest potential. His motto was to praise in public and reprimand in private. If you worked with him, you know he never placed blame. He saw each situation as a learning curve and would say, "There is no way back machine so where do we go from here to correct it and make sure it doesn't happen again." The only greater love than his job was his family. The day he met his wife, he knew he was in love, and on their second date, he told her he was going to marry her. He married Barbara Allen Papa on July 9, 1983, and their love would grow into one of the greatest love stories ever told that spanned over four decades. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, for whom he couldn't be prouder. Angela Cantwell (Scott), of Rensselaer, N.Y., and Lindsay Dougall (Dennis Brown), of North Port, Fla. Then when those grandbabies came along, Art felt his circle of love was complete. Saying he will be missed is an understatement. His whit and ability to see the humor in everything was one of his greatest strengths and what got everyone through the hardest of times.
Art was predeceased by his parents, Homer and Virginia Poladian Dougall; and his brother, Edward. Left to miss him every single day are his wife, Barbara; daughters, Angela and Lindsay; his grands Derek and Daniel Cantwell, Kenny Shanno, Dennis Brown III, and Aubrey Nelson. His surviving siblings include Nancy O'Shea, Susan Clermont, Michael Dougall (Debra), Mark Dougall (Michele) and James Dougall (Michele); along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m., on Homestead Street, in Albany, followed by a casino style celebration of life at the Italian American Center Pavilion on Washington Avenue Extension. To know Art was to know the only other love in his life was whatever casino was closest. Come play some cards, enjoy some fun and laughter while reliving the funniest moments of this amazing man's life.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, in Art's honor. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com