August 29, 1928 – September 11, 2019
John “Doug” MacDonald Muir, (AKA”Boppa”) age 91, but 39 at heart, sailed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2019. He was at home in New Fairfield, Conn with his family by his side.
Doug was born August 29, 1928 in Manhattan, NY ,a son of the late Alan K.,Sr. and Elsie (Cover) Muir. His childhood was spent between the Bronx and summers at Ball Pond in a bungalow on Satterlee Lane, New Fairfield with his family and cousins.
He enlisted in the U.S.Army in 1946 as a Private First Class and served honorably as a Military Policeman, Rifleman, and Mechanic during the occupation of Germany following the end of World War II. After his discharge in July 1948 from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, he spent a year ortwo “hoboing” across the country with two army pals, jumping trains and working along the way.
When Doug returned to New York City he met and married the love of his life, Joan Rita St. Jacques on June 30, 1951.
Following a brief stay in Maine, they returned to Ball Pond in 1953 to raise their two daughters, Linda (Meehan) and Susan (Spaulding). Doug worked as a Brakeman on the Danbury/NewHaven Railroad and on the Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad. While building his home in 1958, a fall from the roof left him paralyzed from the waist down. the fall never stopped his spirit or held him back from living his life. After learning to walk with crutchesand braces, Doug completed building his home with help from the Veterans.
He went on to earn his Associate’s Degree in Science at Danbury State College in 1961, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport in 1965, anda Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the Pratt Institute in 1972. Doug went to work at IBM until his retirement in 1989.
He loved adventure and became an avid sailor with his brother-in-law, Ed. He became a senior member of the Lake Candlewood Power Squadron,reaching the rank of Navigator as well as being an educational facilitator with the United States Power Squad.
Sailing was replaced by gold prospecting with his cousin and best friend, Phyllis in the California desert. Doug was an avid reader and a lover of cards, games, and puzzles. Camping throughout the U.S. and Canada, he saw the country with his family by his side with hand controls behind the wheel. National Parks and the beauty of nature always called, and Doug went.
He loved to tinker and build, whether a machine, a home repair, or a computer and duct tape was always his friend. But spending time with those he loved was the most important thing of all. A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all would come to call him “Boppa.” His small home off BallPond was open to all and to the end always filled with friends, family, and neighbors. The door was always open, the laughter was always loud, the coffee was always ready, and his heart was alwaysfilled with love.
Douglas is survived by his daughter, Linda, and son-in-law, Jim Meehan; his daughter, Susan, and son-in-law, Doug Spaulding. His grandchildren: Elisa (Beckett) and her husband, Joshua Beckett Flores; Brian Meehan and partner, Jess Turlo; Devin Meehan and wife, Elly (Stankova); and Niles Spaulding. His beloved great grandchildren: Parker Ann Beckett Flores and Alexander Meehan. His beloved sister-in-law, Madeline (Muir) Loughrey, of Florida; and beloved cousin, Joy Cove of California. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers.
He is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Joan. His parents Alan and Elsie; his siblings Alan “Sonny,” and Joan and her husband, Edwin Heminway; and a grandson, David Cory Beckett.
Funeral services will be held at the Congregational Church of New Fairfield on Wednesday September 18, 2019 at 11am.
Calling hours for Douglas will be held at Green Funeral Home on Main Street in Danbury, CT on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 from 5pm to 8pm.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers to please make a donation to the New Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, Attn: Jean Flynn, Treasurer, P.O. Box 8307, New Fairfield, CT 06812.
The family would like to especially thank Visiting Angels of Brookfield,Riva Shoshana of Riva’s Rides as well as the VNA of Western Ct and RVNA.
To know him was to love him
