Harold Douglas Neumann, Jr., known as “Doug”, formerly of Norwich, CT died on August 9, 2016 at home at Windham Falls Estates in Groton, CT.
He was born January 24, 1929 in New Haven, CT, son of the late Harold and Nellie Neumann of Hamden, CT. He was married for 67 years to Jean L. Neumann who predeceased him on March 11, 2015. He is also survived by five children, Linda Tublitz and her husband Daniel of Boca Raton, FL, Harold Neumann III and his wife Cheryl of Norwich, CT, Robert Neumann and his wife Joan Louise of Thomaston, CT, Lori Neumann of Salem, CT, and Amy Neumann of Columbia, CT as well as ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters, Bernice Booth of Orleans, MA and Sandra Cain of Ledyard, CT and three brothers, Richard Neumann of Hamden, CT, Robert Neumann of Bothell, WA and David Neumann of South Stafford, VT.
Doug lived a full life with many rich and rewarding experiences, his energy and enthusiasm for life was endless. In college he loved acting, later he enjoyed renovating old farm houses doing much of the work himself teaching himself plumbing, electrical and basic carpentry skills, he even baled his own hay to feed his Saddlebred horses and enjoyed horse shows and judging for many years. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Air Wing during World War II. He received a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Southern Connecticut State College and a Six Year from the University of Connecticut. He taught school in the towns of North Haven and Greenwich, CT as well as at Southern Connecticut State College. He was an Eagle Scout and served many years as a Boy Scout Leader, and 4-H Horse Club Leader. In 1951 he attended the 7th World Boy Scout Jamboree in Bad Ischl Austria as one of the Scoutmasters for the New England contingent.
He was a school administrator in Bethlehem and Hartford, CT as well as Brookline and Sudbury, MA. During that time he served as a consultant with the U.S. Department of Education, the National Peace Corp, National Vista Program, National Teacher Corp, National Head Start Program and the National Follow Through Program. Following his retirement from education, he served as Business Manager for the Metropolitan Planning Project in Boston, MA, and as Executive Director of SARAH in Guilford, CT. With his wife Jean and his family he operated the Ivoryton Inn in Essex, CT for five years. For the next 31 years, until September 2014 when he suffered a stroke, Doug dedicated his life and dreams to serve as the Executive Director of Seabird Enterprises, Inc. of Groton, a non-profit vocational training and day program for adults with developmental disabilities. Many times Doug said that the best part of his life was getting up to go to work each morning, he loved his job and the people he worked with so much. In 2004 he was honored as Connecticut’s Outstanding Older Worker award where the Board of Directors and many employees of Seabird accompanied Doug and his family to Washington DC for an honorary celebration. He enjoyed swimming & traveling his entire life and most recently would sit with his wife Jean at the harbor in Norwich people watching. Doug loved life in the biggest way and made the most of every day he could, inspiring many people along the way. He was a dedicated father and husband who loved his family. He will be greatly missed by all who enjoyed the time they spent with him.
Calling hours will be on Friday, August 12, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Services will be held Saturday August 13, 2016 at 10:00 at the Church & Allen Funeral Home of Norwich followed by interment with Military Honors at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.
Donations made be made in Doug’s honor to Seabird Enterprises, 169 Thames Street, Groton, CT 06340.
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