Douglas Lee Mills

Douglas Lee Mills, 70, of Buckland passed away at his home Sunday July 23, 2017 surrounded by his family. 

Douglas was a lifelong resident of Shelburne Falls, born in Greenfield September 25, 1946.  The son of Harold and Ruth (Leavitt) Mills.  He attended local schools, graduating from Arms Academy in 1965.  He played sports throughout high school and started the Arms Academy ski club.    During his youth, he had several different jobs but working for his future father-in-law, Ray Fournier, at March’s Pharmacy where Ray let him have all the Coke-a-Cola he wanted proved to be the one he liked best. 

He was a veteran joining the Army in 1966 and serving in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive in 1968.  After returning home he married the girl from the drug store, Pauline Fournier at St. Joseph’s church in Shelburne Falls, June 24, 1969.  He also started working for The Bell Telephone company in 1969 first as a lineman and then as a foreman retiring in 2001 after 32 years of service with the company.

Doug was an avid hunter, boater and motorcyclist and was able to combine those interests with his love of family and friends.  He enjoyed hunting white tailed deer in the fall with his father, uncles and eventually sons.  His eyes would light up when he was telling the story of the first deer he harvested when he was 12.   He spent Sundays in the summer taking the family out on their boat on Harriman Lake and later Lake Winnipesaukee water skiing, tubing and knee boarding.   His love of motorcycles began at an early age, building one of his first, a Honda Scout, at age 14.  He and Pauline would take many trips throughout the years with friends and family touring New England on their Gold Wing.  

He was also very handy, known to his family and neighborhood as Mr. Fix It.  Doug had a keen sense of humor and always left his family and friends smiling or laughing after a conversation.   He was dedicated to his family and getting together for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and the annual family picnic at the lake were events he looked forward to every year.  

Douglas leaves behind his wife of 48 years Pauline (Fournier) Mills, two sons, Eric and his wife Vanessa of Buckland, Mark and his wife Eve of Sturbridge, a daughter Pam Sackman and her husband Chris of Newport Washington, four grandsons, Tucker and Trevor Mills of Buckland and Peter and Jacob Sackman of Newport Washington.   He is also survived by his sister Deborah and her husband Albert “Buddy” Falcon of Buckland.  He was predeceased by his sister Donna Hall and brother Kerry Mills.   He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. 

Calling hours will be on Thursday July 27, 2017 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, Shelburne Falls, MA.   A graveside service will be held Friday July 28, 2017 at 11:00am at Arms Cemetery in Shelburne Falls, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Doug’s name can be made to New England Paralyzed Veterans of America. 

To send flowers, sign a guest book or leave a message of condolence to the family please visit www.smithkelleherfuneralhome.com

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