Douglas George Willett, Jr.

RUMNEY -- Douglas “Doug” George Willett, Jr., 78, of Rumney, NH passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving Family.

Doug was born on January 6, 1947, in Lowell, Massachusetts, to Barbara and Douglas Willett, Sr., and grew up alongside his sister, Sandra, and brother, Dean.

Doug dedicated his life to family, community, and countless students and athletes he mentored. A lifelong educator and coach, he taught physical education and coached at the elementary, high school and college levels in Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. Although he coached a variety of sports including basketball, softball, and track and field, his primary love was always football. His influence extended far beyond the field, shaping the character of young men and women and leaving a lasting impact everywhere he went.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Doug worked for Cherrydale Farms, where he was responsible for school fundraising across the state of New Hampshire. He took great pride in helping schools raise money for programs that advanced education and enriched students’ experiences. True to his playful spirit, Doug often delighted children with his love of magic tricks. His favorite was the “money machine”, where kids could step into a booth as dollar bills swirled around them, scrambling to collect what they could. For Doug, it was never just about the fundraising – it was about bringing joy, wonder, and opportunity to young people.

Doug was also an active member of the Rotary Club, where he lived out his belief that service was at the heart of community. Whether through fundraising, coaching, or volunteering, he carried the Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” into every aspect of his life. Everyone he touched will carry his legacy forward, grateful for his example. He will be remembered for his love of football, raking leaves, ice cream and above all, his family.

Doug is survived by his wife, Barbara; daughters, Jessica and Meredith and her husband Mark; and grandchildren, Peyton and Jake.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Common Café & Tavern, Rumney, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Doug’s memory to the Newfound Football Program (Checks made payable to: Friends of Newfound Football, POB 52, Bristol, NH 03222) or Plymouth Huskies Football Program (Checks made payable to: Plymouth Regional Huskies, PO Box 20, Plymouth NH 03264 or venmo: @plymouthhuskies), two programs very dear to his heart.

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