Ipswich is a small town 35 miles north of Boston. My mother grew up there. I still have cousins up there. One, Doug, died earlier this week. Doug was a star athlete at Ipswich High School. After college, he returned to Ipswich. For the next four decades, Doug taught in Ipswich schools, he coached several Ipswich High School teams, and he became a community leader.
Whipple House, circa 1638, Ipswich Village Green
To honor Doug, last week every player on the boys' and girls' basketball teams in each of the eight towns in the Cape Ann League wore warm-up shirts with his name on the backs. The league renamed the coach-of-the-year award after Doug, and Ipswich High School announced that
the basketball court will be named after him.
At the wake for Doug last night, hundreds of mourners filled the community hall, and more stood outside in the cold waiting for up to an hour to enter the hall and pay respects to Doug's family.
I liked Doug, but, of course, I should. He was my cousin. But, seeing the respect and love for
him throughout Ipswich was inspirational. Well done, Doug. Rest in peace.
10 comments:
I'm so sorry to hear your cousin died, Jack. He sounds like a wonderful person.
You have a fine tribute to this well loved individual. But the stocks by this house are just creepy.
Doug sounds like a very dedicated and warm kind of guy. This is a wonderful tribute to him. I'm sorry for your loss.
Doug was obviously quite a guy. Nice to know such people still exist and I'm glad that he was appreciated for his efforts to make his community a better place.
When that many people come out, it's a mark of a life well lived and a man who made a difference. I'm sorry for your loss.
What a wonderful person he was indeed and this world would surely benefit from having more like him. He has obviously made a difference in so many young lives at a time when it is most needed!! Thank you for sharing, Jack, it is inspiring! And a loss it is indeed.
Sorry for your loss, Jack! Sounds like Doug's was a life well lived and he was loved by many.
Sorry for your family's loss. It sounds like Doug made quite an impact during his life. What more can one ask for?
I'm so sorry for your - your family's - and the community's loss. It is always a comfort to see when a larger community shares your love for a family member.
Deaths during the holiday season are difficult for the family. So good that the community showed so much respect for him.
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