Douglas F. Moakley

Douglas F. Moakley, a longtime resident of Peabody, died peacefully at the age of 82 on January 4, 2021.

Predeceased by his beloved grandchild, Jenna Rose Mangini, Doug is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Rosanna, and by their four children and their families, Ellie and Mark Hickey (Cadin, Connor, Jackson), Zanna Mangini (Jordan and Grace), Greg and Jennifer (Shannon and Charlotte) and Brian and Lizzie (Fiora and Rowen). He is also survived by two dear Society of African Missions (SMA) priests, Father Charles Nasser Koudje and Father Julien Esse (both of whom he loved as his own children), by his sister, Janice Anthony, and by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Doug was the youngest of six children and grew up in Lexington. He graduated from Lexington High School He earned his Associates Degree at Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science degree at Suffolk University. He was immediately hired by New England Nuclear (later Dupont), where he developed chemical solutions for medical applications for over 25 years. In 1978, he completed a Master of Science and Chemistry degree at Suffolk University while working full-time and raising four young and mischievous children. He finished his career collaborating with the talented chemists at ArQule.

Doug was a man of many talents. An avid golfer, he earned many trophies and golfed until his eighties. He gardened and competed with a neighbor for the largest lettuces and tomatoes (to his children’s dismay - they were expected to eat them all). An amateur vintner, he gifted many bottles, especially to the wonderful waitresses at Freddy’s Restaurant. Doug was a great Dad and always took time off to join his boys on their many scouting adventures or to attend his children’s many events. He and his wife were in a Gourmet Cooking Club together where he didn’t cook, but ate plenty, surrounded by the company of friends.

Technology always inspired Doug. He built his own television, tinkered with new computers and loved challenging his kids to games on their Atari system. Later, he would introduce the children to PC computer games and compete with them for the highest scores. He was a ruthless player to all except his younger son, whom he always allowed to win. He was a bone fide “sci-fi geek” before it was considered cool and his love of old radio shows and “cheesy,” seventies sci-fi lives on through his children.

Doug loved God above all and served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Agnes Church in Middleton.

A Funeral Mass for Doug will be held at Saint Adelaide’s Church, 712 Lowell Street in Peabody this Saturday, January 9, at 10:30 AM. The Reverend Fr. Raymond Van De Moortell will be presiding. CDC COVID-19 protocols will be observed. Internment and a reception to occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Douglas Moakley to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Donations may be made online at www.dana-farber.org/gift (select Hematologic (Blood) Cancers>Leukemia-Adult) or by mail to:  Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 (please specify donations for Adult Leukemia).  

A special and heartfelt thank you to the wonderful staff of the Harriett and Ralph Kaplan Estates in Peabody for their loving care and compassion. The nurses and aides were our living angels and comforted us through his illness.

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