After battling cancer for several years, W. Douglas Willett passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Sunday, April 10, 2022 in Cape Coral, FL.
Doug was born Dec 21, 1943 in Hartford to parents Emil and Erva Willett. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Diane Willett; his three sons: Wes and his wife Stacy, Jamie, and Jonathan and his wife Emma; grandchildren: Marleena, Shealah, Draedon, Spencer, Ada and Talia, plus five who joined along the way: Raquel, Thomas, Kacie, Lucas, Nicole and great-granddaughters: Teagan, Finley and Skye. He is also survived by his brother, Greg Willett with partner Jen Prieto; sisters: Erva and Denise with husband Victor Nejfelt. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, William and sisters, Virgina and Michelle.
Born into humble circumstances in East Hartford, Doug grew up in Mayberry Village and on Tiffany Rd. before it was paved. He remembered his childhood as a happy one full of his boisterous, loving family and his favorite pastimes of reading and playing baseball. He attended East Hartford High School, where he played junior varsity basketball and baseball, served as the sports editor of the school paper and was elected President of his junior class, foreshadowing his lifelong love of sports, language and politics. After high school, he attended the University of Connecticut, where he received a BA in English. After completing a teaching credential at Central Connecticut State College, by his mid-twenties he became a beloved English teacher at East Hartford High School. During his tenure at EHHS he was active in the teacher’s union, Department Chair of English, coach of the girls’ softball team and went on to serve for five years as the school Principal.
At age 40, thinking he would get a little business experience before seeking a Superintendent position, he went to work for Travelers Insurance in Hartford. Eighteen years later, he had climbed the corporate ladder to become Sr. Vice President of Human Resources. Doug retired at age 58 and spent his remaining years traveling the world with Diane, spending time with family and giving back to others.
Doug’s love of competition was reflected on the golf course, in the stands at many a game of his beloved UCONN Huskies, and in his many years on the pitching mound for East Hartford Dovalettes and then Reed’s Construction, whom he helped lead to the Softball National Championships several times while earning an induction into the Connecticut Softball Hall of Fame.
Although he built a lot for himself and his family, he always gave a lot back to the communities and institutions that shaped him, from being accused by the local paper as the shadowy advisor behind his best friend Bob McNulty’s two terms as East Hartford’s Mayor, to his funding scholarships and generous donations to his alma mater UCONN, serving on the board of the Hillstead Museum to welcoming a French exchange student into the family, Doug believed part of a well lived life was service to others.
Doug was very active with the East Hartford Rotary Club. When he served as Club President, he was instrumental in allowing women to become members for the first time. He was a 6-time recipient of Rotary’s highest honor, the Paul Harris award. Doug co-wrote and edited the club newsletter for many years. He served as chair for numerous committees, was club photographer, and devoted many hours to volunteer activities.
World traveler, photographer, father, husband, brother and grandfather, he meant a lot to a lot of people and will be sorely missed.
The family received relatives and friends April 20 at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel.
lieu of flowers, please send donations to East Hartford Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 380035, East Hartford, CT 06138-0035. To share a memory of Doug with his family, please visit www.desopoeh.com.
