Obituary: F. Dwight Douglas, Founding Member of Avon's Troop 87

F. Dwight Douglas, of Avon, passed away peacefully on Saturday May 17, 2014, at UConn Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut.

Born on June 11, 1924 in South Eliot, Maine to Maynard and Marjorie Douglas, Dwight, the third of four children, was predeceased by his older sisters Priscilla Perham and Jean Hilt. He was a beloved and devoted husband and father. Dwight leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Betty S. Douglas; his sister, Susan Fleming; two children: David Douglas and Bruce Douglas; their wives: Virginia Jokisch and Lynn Douglas; four grandchildren: Ian, Cecilia, Ewan, and Brianna; and one great-grandchild, Kevin.

Dwight graduated from Eliot High School and the University of New Hampshire. His college career was interrupted by service in the Army Air Corps, where he proudly served in the 15th Army’s 451st Bomb Group. Eventually promoted to the rank of Technical Sergeant, Dwight flew 35 missions as a radio operator and gunner in B-24 Liberator heavy bombers in the European theater.

After graduating from UNH with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering, Dwight worked for Hamilton Standard and Hartford Empire before joining the Ensign-Bickford Company in 1957, where he began as a chemical engineer, and spent many years as a plant engineer in Ensign-Bickford’s Avon and Simsbury plants. Dwight was a registered Professional Engineer and retired from Ensign-Bickford in 1987.

He and Betty have lived in Avon, Connecticut since 1954, where he was a member of Avon Congregational Church. He was a charter member of the Avon Civitan Club and a founding member of Troop 87 (Boy Scouts of America) Avon, CT in the 1960s. He served in many leadership roles in Troop 87 including Scoutmaster. Dwight enjoyed woodworking, photography, local history, and traveling.

A memorial service took place at Avon Congregational Church, 6 West Main Street, Avon, Connecticut 06001, on Tuesday, May 20.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Avon Congregational Church, at the above address.

Arrangements were handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes. To send online condolences to the family, visit the Ahern Funeral Home website.