Douglas Stephens, age 64, of Andover, passed away in his home Monday morning following a brief illness. Born in Melrose, he was the son of the late Ellamae (Russell) and Edward Stephens Jr. Doug was the beloved husband of 43 years to Carrol (McKay) Stephens and together they have lived in Andover for the past 32 years.
Doug graduated from Tufts University with a degree in economics in 1960 and is a fraternal brother of Phi Sigma Kappa. Doug was a co-founder, treasurer and board member since 1991 of Supportive Living, Inc., a Woburn based not-for-profit organization. Doug was also an advisory board member of Mentor Brain Injury Services, in connection with its community re-entry service program created by the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Doug has been a catalyst in the establishment of federally endorsed housing opportunities for survivors of brain injury. His organization´s two new living and support facilities, Warren House in Woburn and McLaughlin House in North Reading, have been recognized at the national level as among the first residences of their kind in the United States.
He has been a member of Cummings Properties´ executive team since 1972. He was the Executive Vice President of Cummings LLC and was a trustee of the Cummings Foundation and also served as the acting executive director and trustee at New Horizons at Choate. He also served as chairman of the board of trustees of Burlington´s Fellowship Baptist Church.
Doug loved sports, reading and history. He loved his country and loved being with his wife and family.
In addition to his beloved wife Carrol, he is survived by his daughters Susan Throckmorton of Jacksonville, FL, Sheryl DeMaine of Salem, NH and his son Scott D. Stephens of Woburn. He is the loving grandfather of Caitlyn, Ryan, Connor, Abigail and Ashley. He is also survived by his brother, Edward Stephens III, and several loving nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted in the Chapel at West Parish Garden Cemetery, 129 Reservation Road, Andover, Thursday, May 20th, at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin- Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Wednesday 1 - 4 & 6 - 9 PM.
In lieu of flowers, Doug has requested that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Supportive Living Inc. 17 Warren Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801