John George Douglas, Jr.

John George Douglas, Jr., 89, of Mansfield Center, CT and Bonita Springs, FL, died peacefully in hospice at Day Kimball Hospital on November 13, 2023.

Born in Cranesville PA to John and Mary (Hanas) Douglas, John graduated from Rice Avenue H.S. in Girard Pennsylvania and attended Lock Haven State University where he was an All American in Football and Wrestling and varsity Track & Field. He earned his master’s degree from Springfield College and his Ed.D., from West Virginia University. He began his teaching and coaching career at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he was an assistant coach on the football team and started the collegiate wrestling program.

He was on the Sport and Leisure Studies Faculty of the University of Connecticut for over 25 years where he was a keen advocate of Title IX and the advancement of women’s collegiate sports. He served as president of CTAHPERD - The Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and was recognized for his achievements both locally and nationally with AAHPERD, The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. He took sabbatical years at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and at Charles University in Prague.

John was predeceased in 2022 by his wife of 64 years, Priscilla D. Douglas, his parents and his siblings Mary, Dorothy, Daniel and Bernice. He leaves behind his three daughters, Holly Douglas-Matty (Paul), Laura Douglas (Gregg Johnson) and Diana Nye (Rick), two granddaughters Kathleen Roy, Rachael Matty and his great grandchildren, Reagan and Ryan Roy and many nieces and nephews.

John spent his retirement between Connecticut and Bonita Springs, Florida. He volunteered as a docent at Barefoot Beach Preserve and enjoyed travelling, golfing and spending time with his family and friends. He especially cherished the time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank his caregivers, friends and family that have offered help and comfort, as well as the staff at Creamery Brook and Day Kimball Hospital. He will be interred at Storrs Cemetery. A memorial service is being planned for a later date. The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the John G. Douglas Memorial Scholarship at Lock Haven University, https://lhufoundation.org/donate-lhu or Lock Haven Foundation, 311 Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center, 10 Susquehanna Avenue, Lock Haven, PA 17745.

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