Attorney John "Doug" Cummings of Charlestown is General Counsel to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Commission (“ABCC”) where, among other tasks, he wrote the “Happy Hour” and “Ships” Regulations.
A Springfield native and graduate of its Classical High School, he holds degrees in English from Yale and in Law from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Massachusetts and New York Bars and a fellow of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation.
Doug Cummings first practiced in New York City with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”). Subsequently he returned to Springfield and joined his late father in the general practice of law.
In 1976 he was named Counsel to the State Rating Bureau in the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. There he developed his interest in “Plain English” as co-author of the pioneering Massachusetts easy-to-read auto insurance policy. He was actively involved in the drafting, enactment and administration of major insurance laws. For six months, on leave from the Division, he was Chairman of the Board of Appeals.
From 1979 to 1984, Attorney Cummings practiced privately in Boston, primarily in the area of insurance law, Plain English, legislative drafting and trial of rating matters nationally.
Before entering law school, Attorney Cummings taught English at Brooks School in North Andover. He has also been a Visiting Professor of Political Science and Government and Business and Medical Law and Ethics at Springfield Technical Community College and Western New England College.
Attorney Cummings was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and a member of the friends of the Charlestown Library.
Mr.Cummings lived on Beacon Hill from 1976 to 1985 when he moved to Charlestown.
Attorney Cummings is the beloved father of Barry Cummings of Main, Jack Cummings of Brookline and Emily Cummings of Boston. He is the devoted brother of James Stanley Cummings of Longmeadow and the late George Cummings. Attorney Cummings is the loving grandfather of Henry Cummings of Maine and several nieces and nephews.
Attorney Cummings Funeral will take place from the Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, on Friday, December 29, 2006, at 9:00 a.m. followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, 55 Warren Street, Charlestown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting Hours for Attorney Cummings will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2006, from 4 – 8 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers kindly make memorial donations in Attorney Cummings name to the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club, 15 Green Street, Charlestown, MA 02129