Douglas Dinsmore Furbush Jr., of Millis, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2025, beside beautiful West Branch Pond in Maine. He spent his final days lodging, fly fishing, and celebrating his 100th birthday with cherished friends and family. Doug departed this world having lived fully, embracing the passions and people who meant the most to him.
Doug was born in West Newton to the late Douglas D. and Alice (Carlson) Furbush. A longtime resident of Millis for over 30 years, he previously made his home in Wellesley.
On his 18th birthday in May 1943, Doug enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country in World War II. A dedicated serviceman, he fought with distinction as a gunner aboard Liberty Ships in the European theater. Just five months after enlistment, Doug encountered his first combat in the Mediterranean Sea, witnessing the tragic loss of four Navy vessels. He demonstrated remarkable resilience, protecting his ship from air attacks and fire that endangered comrades.
Following the war, Doug built a life filled with family and purpose. He married Priscilla J. Clark, with whom he raised five children. His successful 40-year career in the automobile industry stemmed from his warm, honest nature, earning him the loyalty of generations of customers.
Doug is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Marilyn (Kass) Furbush. Together, they shared a love for golf, actively participating in the Millis men’s and women’s golf leagues and enjoying many golf vacations. In their younger years, Doug and Marilyn spent many a weekend sailing around Narragansett Bay enjoying the beauty of the ocean.
Doug was a man of many passions, always seeking hobbies that kept him active and engaged. An inventor at heart, Doug was endlessly creative and imaginative, always inspiring those around him. He found joy in owning a flock of racing pigeons, tending to beehives to harvest honey, and maintaining hummingbird feeders that delighted both his family and friends. However, his lifelong love of nature was most evident in his dedication to fly fishing—a pursuit he embraced in the 1960s and passed down to his children and grandchildren. As he grew older and could no longer travel long distances to fish, he found a home at the Norfolk Trout Club, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow anglers. Fittingly, his final week was spent at his favorite fishing camp, where he had the opportunity to cast one last fly.
Doug’s greatest legacy was the joy he found in raising his five children. From family vacations to West Branch Pond and Martha’s Vineyard to teaching them how to drive and bowl, he was a devoted father. He instilled in them strong character, kindness, patience, and a contagious sense of humor.
Doug was a cherished father to Paula Guttilla and her husband Tom, Douglas D. Furbush III and his wife Roseann, Charles (Chuck) Furbush, Patti King and her husband Walter, and Richard Furbush. He was a proud grandfather to Jeremey Guttilla and his wife Jayna, Samantha Taraskiewcz and her husband Jason, Jennifer Brassanini and her partner James, Catherine Furbush, Angela Montalbano and her husband Dominic, and Carly Gasco and her husband Brian. He was adored by his great-grandchildren—Charlotte, Sawyer, Annabelle, Emily, Lucy, Evelyn, Fritz, Maria, Luca, and Carmela.
Doug was predeceased by his siblings: Wesley J. Furbush, USA; Alice Marie Furbush; Thelma Edwards, USMC; Barbara Ann Dusek, USN; Norman “Fuzzy” Furbush, USAF; and Carl Furbush, USN. He treasured the love of his many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the compassionate staff at The Meadow at Charles River Assisted Living, who have cared for Doug over the past two years.
Family and friends will gather to honor Doug’s life at a funeral service on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 11 AM at the Newton Cemetery Chapel, 791 Walnut St., Newton Center. He will be laid to rest alongside his parents and siblings immediately following the service.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Roberts, Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home, 15 Miller St., Millis, MA.
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