Douglas Waller Cushman

HOLDEN - Douglas W. Cushman, 94, died peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at St. Francis Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Worcester. Douglas was born on March 13, 1924 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of Henry and Gladys (Waller) Cushman. He lived in Holden for over 60 years.Douglas graduated from Winthrop High School with the class of 1942 and would later attend the Spartan Aircraft School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Fleet Sound School in Key West, Florida as well as Northeastern University. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a Sonarman Second Class. On November 5, 1949 he married Barbara Sampson. The couple moved into the house he built on Lowell Avenue in Holden where they raised their family and enjoyed 45 years of marriage until her passing in 1994. Douglas worked as an Inspector for Wyman Gordon Co. in North Grafton for many years, retiring in 1986. He was a former member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden and the former St. John's Episcopal Church in Worcester. He also was a member of the Chaffin's Retired Men's Club and the American Legion Post 0042 in Holden and a volunteer for the Holden Council on Aging. Douglas was an avid bicyclist and belonged to the Seven Hills Wheelmen Club. He also had a love for music and enjoyed playing the trumpet. Above all he cherished time spent with his family.Douglas is survived by his son, Paul Cushman and his wife, Janie of Sapulpa, OK; his daughters, Beverly White and her husband, Roger of Hoosick Falls, NY and Janice Desch and her husband, Ken of Holden; his sister, Patricia Ton of Boylston; his grandsons, Christopher White and his wife, Liz and Andrew White; his great grandson, Desmond White; his step-grandsons, John and Justin Bergman; his step great grandchildren, Bailey, Wyatt and Beau; his step great great grandson, Jaxson; and many special nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Marguerite Conley and Victory Kusey, his one brother, Curtis Cushman and his long-time companion, Irene Murphy. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Memorial Calling Hours from 3 to 5 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Memorial service honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 10 am on Monday, June 4th at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery, Main St., Holden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holden Senior Center or the American Heart Association through the funeral home. To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit our Guest Book.