Douglas Jay Morin

Douglas Jay Morin, 64, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, passed away suddenly at his home on Sunday, March 8, 2026. To know Doug was to know a man of many multitudes—immovable and constant, prickly at the edges yet cavernous with compassion. He was a mountain of a presence in every room he entered and an even larger one in the hearts of those he loved.

Born in Methuen on November 7, 1961, Doug arrived into the world alongside his twin brother, Jonathan. He was the son of the late Julien R. “Bull” Morin and Valentine R. (Dube) Morin, and was raised and educated in Methuen, graduating from the Greater Lawrence Vocational School. During his high school years, he proudly served as captain of the football team and played on the hockey team. After graduation, he worked briefly in HVAC before beginning a long career in plumbing, a trade that suited a man who was always most at home working with his hands. A true jack of all trades, Doug could turn raw wood into a birdhouse, a walking stick, or an intricately carved pumpkin or watermelon. He was known for his signature napkin roses, crafted and given away at any gathering.

Doug’s gifts extended far beyond his hands. He was a man of tremendous curiosity and a father who caught bullfrogs in the wetlands beside the backyard only to set them free again, who could identify a bird by its song alone, and who taught his children on car rides how to spot the difference between a turkey vulture, an eagle, and a hawk. He fostered in his children a deep love of learning and adventure through History Channel documentaries, summer trips to the Museum of Science, and expeditions up north to New Hampshire’s fire tower trails. He was happiest outdoors—skiing Wildcat Mountain with his brother David, taking daily walks with his beloved dogs, or simply standing in the yard listening to the world. Doug seemed to know someone everywhere he went, and if he did not, he soon would. He remained the neighbor who showed up when needed, the friend who would argue you into the ground, a stubborn bull and steadfast helper with a tremendous heart. To many in the Merrimack Valley, he will forever be remembered affectionately as “Sweet Dougie Mo.”

Doug is survived by his children, Courtney Morin and her fiancé Evan Shaheen of Methuen, Garrett Billingsley and his longtime girlfriend Kelly Murray of Greenwood, Indiana, Danielle Pringle and her husband Caleb of Ft. Myers, Florida, and by Christine Billingsley, his legal wife, dear friend, and mother to Courtney and Garrett. He is also survived by his siblings, Michael Morin and his wife Angela of Westbrook, Connecticut, Stevie Morin and his wife Rebecca of Ocala, Florida, David Morin and his wife Cynthia of Londonderry, New Hampshire, Gregory Morin and his wife Stacey of Methuen, Jonathan Morin and his wife Regina of Plaistow, New Hampshire, Lisa Morin and her partner Jim Spaulding of Narragansett, Rhode Island, and Brendan Morin of Bradford, Massachusetts, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, beloved friends, and his dear dog, Ella. He was predeceased by his father Julien Morin and mother Valentine Morin, his brother Tim Morin and his wife Mary, and his much-loved dog, Tanner.