Douglas N. Wilkinson

HOLYOKE

Douglas N. Wilkinson, 86, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2019 in the comfort of his home with his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia, at his side. Doug was born in Holyoke on April 10, 1933 to the late Douglas A. and Amy (Foster) Wilkinson. He lived his entire life in Holyoke and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War era and was stationed in Germany for a time. He received his Associate’s Degree from Holyoke Community College and his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in 1967. He later attended the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. He began his career as a Social Worker at the Holyoke Public Welfare Department. He later worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare, where he held several positions including Director in Northampton, Field Representative in Springfield and ended his career as a Supervisor in Chicopee. He was active in the public welfare professional community and served one year as President of the Public Welfare Conference. He also worked at Astro Video, Magri’s and Greniers Photography, later known as Grynn & Barrett. After retiring, he volunteered at the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. He met his wife Patricia “Schatz” at work and they married in 1961. They have four wonderful daughters and twelve cherished grandchildren.  Doug was very kind and loving; a family man who always had a smile and put a smile on others’ faces. Doug was co-chair of his High School Reunion Committee. He enjoyed traveling, music, dancing, and watching his beloved New England sports teams.  He was a great cook and loved having meals with the family, especially dessert.  Doug was proud of being from Holyoke, he never missed a St. Patrick’s Day parade! He cared deeply for his family, friends and fellow neighbors, especially Joyce Smalley and family.  Doug’s family includes: wife Patricia (Dowd) Wilkinson of Holyoke; daughter Megan Woodard and her husband Thomas of Jupiter, FL; daughter Tara Woomer and her husband Patrick of Plymouth, MA; daughter Melissa Tempestini and her husband Rodrigo of Bristol, RI; and daughter Heather Wilkinson and her partner Jeff Cilley of Franklin, TN. Doug was known as Grampy to his twelve grandchildren: Chelsea Paine, Alexis Cristino, Avery Woodard and Parker Woodard; Douglas, Patrick, Charlotte, Lucille and Madeline Woomer; and Abigail, Jackson, and Wesley Gould. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Eleanor Dowd, a nephew, several nieces, extended family members and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his sister Ann Coffey and her husband Jim; his brother-in-law Henry Dowd; his sister-and brother-in-law Eleanor and Robert Dooley; and his dear cousin Reverend Clark Coughlin. Thank you to the devoted caretakers from Valley Life Care, especially Shequia Colon, and Holyoke VNA Hospice for the compassionate care given to Doug. The funeral will be held Monday, December 30th at 10:00 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of the Cross Parish Church, Holy Cross Avenue. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held Sunday, December 29th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to either: JERICHO/Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults, 537 Northampton St. Holyoke, MA 01040 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.

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