Obituary for Douglas McCarter
Douglas Howe McCarter of Millis, MA died peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2020 after a period of declining health.
Douglas was born in Boston on May 15, 1929 and graduated from English High School, and Wentworth Institute of Boston in 1949. He moved to Millis in 1953, and was the owner of the general contracting business, Douglas H. McCarter Co. Inc., for over 60 years, mentoring children and grandchildren in the business and his strong work ethic. He passed the business on to his eldest son, Kenneth. Douglas was well-known for his skill and creativity in remodeling and renovation, including historic restoration. He worked on many residential homes as well as some notable commercial projects including the Charles River School in Dover, the Peak House in Medfield, Dedham Country and Polo Club and the Episcopal Church in Dedham.
He is survived by his high-school sweetheart, Marjorie Howard (Mannino) McCarter, who he met and married at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in West Roxbury, MA on March 28, 1953.
They are the proud and devoted parents of Kenneth H. McCarter of Bellingham, MA, Donald H. McCarter of Pocasset, MA and Cape Coral, FL, Deborah E. McCarter of Goffstown NH and the late Robert D. McCarter. He was the loving father-in-law of Diane (MacDonald) McCarter and Susan (Benson) McCarter. He was also delighted to be the patriarch over 7 grandchildren, Sarah McCarter of Plattsburgh, NY, Amy Mondello of Bellingham, MA, Kaitlyn Waldron of N. Berwick, Maine, Brian McCarter of Boston, MA, Michelle Kelsey of Wakefield, MA, Daniel Buck of Manchester, NH, and Rebecca Spaulding of Goffstown, NH. He and Marjorie also have a great granddaughter Gabriella Mondello of Bellingham, MA, and a great grandchild carried by Kate Waldron expected in April. He liked nothing better than to have his whole family together.
Doug was a lover of nature. He enjoyed the woods as well as white-water rafting and canoeing. He served on the troop committee for Boy Scout Troop 15, where he then served as the Scoutmaster for 10 years. His integrity, service and dedication had a positive influence on many young men. His three sons all attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed canoe and rafting adventures in Northern Ontario, Maine and West Virginia, as well as locally. There are many stories to be told of the antics during camping and canoe trips, some of which perhaps should not be shared with Marjorie!
Douglas and Marjorie were active and faithful members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Millis for over 50 years. In addition to many other gifts of service, he contributed much to the maintenance and remodeling of the church and built a chapel in the undercroft for church school students in memory of his son Robert D. McCarter who died tragically in a plane accident in 1990.
Douglas served our country in the Massachusetts National Guard 26th Yankee Division, Headquarters Company for over 20 years and was called to service during the Cuban missile crisis and the Berlin air lift. He retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Douglas and Marjorie had many travel adventures, including to China, Australia, Africa,Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Alaska and several train and car trips in the continental United States. He was known for trying to see sights that were not on the travel itinerary, which sometimes led to not following the timeline for when to return to the travel group. He shared stories of these mishaps with mischievous glee, much to the chagrin of his ever-patient wife and travelling companion.
Doug never called attention to himself and gave generously to many without expectation of reward. He was a man of few words (except when he told of his adventures) and listened carefully to others, thoughtfully considering what he heard. In keeping with his tradition of humility, he passed away quietly during the Coronavirus pandemic social distancing period, ensuring that he go to his final rest with God, avoiding being the center of everyone’s attention. Nevertheless, his loved ones will celebrate his 90 years of life, service, devotion and adventure when it is safe to gather again. His immediate family joined in prayers on his behalf with Rev. Nancy Vogele of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Goffstown, NH, by Zoom conference on Monday, April 6, 2020.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Douglas was born in Boston on May 15, 1929 and graduated from English High School, and Wentworth Institute of Boston in 1949. He moved to Millis in 1953, and was the owner of the general contracting business, Douglas H. McCarter Co. Inc., for over 60 years, mentoring children and grandchildren in the business and his strong work ethic. He passed the business on to his eldest son, Kenneth. Douglas was well-known for his skill and creativity in remodeling and renovation, including historic restoration. He worked on many residential homes as well as some notable commercial projects including the Charles River School in Dover, the Peak House in Medfield, Dedham Country and Polo Club and the Episcopal Church in Dedham.
He is survived by his high-school sweetheart, Marjorie Howard (Mannino) McCarter, who he met and married at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in West Roxbury, MA on March 28, 1953.
They are the proud and devoted parents of Kenneth H. McCarter of Bellingham, MA, Donald H. McCarter of Pocasset, MA and Cape Coral, FL, Deborah E. McCarter of Goffstown NH and the late Robert D. McCarter. He was the loving father-in-law of Diane (MacDonald) McCarter and Susan (Benson) McCarter. He was also delighted to be the patriarch over 7 grandchildren, Sarah McCarter of Plattsburgh, NY, Amy Mondello of Bellingham, MA, Kaitlyn Waldron of N. Berwick, Maine, Brian McCarter of Boston, MA, Michelle Kelsey of Wakefield, MA, Daniel Buck of Manchester, NH, and Rebecca Spaulding of Goffstown, NH. He and Marjorie also have a great granddaughter Gabriella Mondello of Bellingham, MA, and a great grandchild carried by Kate Waldron expected in April. He liked nothing better than to have his whole family together.
Doug was a lover of nature. He enjoyed the woods as well as white-water rafting and canoeing. He served on the troop committee for Boy Scout Troop 15, where he then served as the Scoutmaster for 10 years. His integrity, service and dedication had a positive influence on many young men. His three sons all attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He enjoyed canoe and rafting adventures in Northern Ontario, Maine and West Virginia, as well as locally. There are many stories to be told of the antics during camping and canoe trips, some of which perhaps should not be shared with Marjorie!
Douglas and Marjorie were active and faithful members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Millis for over 50 years. In addition to many other gifts of service, he contributed much to the maintenance and remodeling of the church and built a chapel in the undercroft for church school students in memory of his son Robert D. McCarter who died tragically in a plane accident in 1990.
Douglas served our country in the Massachusetts National Guard 26th Yankee Division, Headquarters Company for over 20 years and was called to service during the Cuban missile crisis and the Berlin air lift. He retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Douglas and Marjorie had many travel adventures, including to China, Australia, Africa,Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Alaska and several train and car trips in the continental United States. He was known for trying to see sights that were not on the travel itinerary, which sometimes led to not following the timeline for when to return to the travel group. He shared stories of these mishaps with mischievous glee, much to the chagrin of his ever-patient wife and travelling companion.
Doug never called attention to himself and gave generously to many without expectation of reward. He was a man of few words (except when he told of his adventures) and listened carefully to others, thoughtfully considering what he heard. In keeping with his tradition of humility, he passed away quietly during the Coronavirus pandemic social distancing period, ensuring that he go to his final rest with God, avoiding being the center of everyone’s attention. Nevertheless, his loved ones will celebrate his 90 years of life, service, devotion and adventure when it is safe to gather again. His immediate family joined in prayers on his behalf with Rev. Nancy Vogele of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Goffstown, NH, by Zoom conference on Monday, April 6, 2020.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.