Obituary of Douglas J. Villnave, Sr.

Brasher Falls – It is with great sadness that family, friends, co-workers and community members mourn the loss of Douglas J. Villnave Sr., 51, who passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 19, 2015, at University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. Arrangements are entrusted to the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Doug was born on August 13, 1963, in Massena to the late Myrland L. and Hazel B. Busky Villnave. He graduated from St. Lawrence Central School in 1981 and from SUNY Canton in 1983 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He married his soulmate, Nicole A. Irwin, on October 6, 1990, at St. Lawrence Church in North Lawrence with Fr. Decker celebrating. This is their 25th year of a blessed union filled with unending love, laughter and friendship that will remain in their hearts forever. He started working at NuMed in Hopkinton in October 1984, earning a position as vice president of Research and Development. He began there shortly after the company started. In his 31 years at the company he was instrumental in many of the patents that were granted, and developed many lifesaving devices, primarily in the field of pediatric interventional cardiology. He worked directly with physicians from around the world, and was respected by all. He travelled extensively, and brought the North Country with him wherever he went. He was the “Longest running member of NuMed and we are honored to have him.” Doug played hockey in the position of goalie in high school, for Canton ATC Hockey in college and later in the Men’s Adult Hockey League. He also played on the Jug Softball Team for many years. He was a communicant of St. Lawrence Church in North Lawrence, where he served as an altar boy in his youth, and where he later married his beautiful wife, Nicole. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, cooking for his family and taking car rides. His greatest joy was raising three beautiful children with Nicole. Doug was blessed with a lighthearted, happy personality and with the ability to converse with anyone. He made those around him laugh, joking that he was the “toughest Hombre in North Lawrence.” His children call their dad their best friend and their hero, and Morgan, his only daughter, said she will always be “Daddy’s Girl!” He was an amazing dad who taught his children to always do the right thing and instilled in them old-school traditions. Their camp at Blake was a family meeting place and the perfect spot to create lasting memories that will never be forgotten. All in all, it is hard to believe we will ever see the “LIKES” of another Doug in our lives. Doug is survived by his loving wife, Nicole; his cherished children, Douglas J. Villnave Jr. of Liverpool, Morgan E. Villnave of Brasher and Buffalo and Ethan T. Villnave of Brasher Falls; two older brothers, Marlowe and wife Joyce Villnave of Cicero and David Villnave of North Lawrence; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Sonny and Susan Irwin of North Lawrence; as well as treasured friends, many nieces and nephews and the entire Irwin family, whom Doug treasured. Visitation will be Monday, June 22, from 6-8 p.m. and Tuesday, June 23, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Hammill Funeral Home in Winthrop. Doug’s Mass of Christian Service will be Wednesday, June 24, at 10 a.m. at St. Lawrence Church in North Lawrence. Entombment will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery in North Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to The Gabriel Project, P.O. Box 237, Brasher Falls, N.Y. 13613. Memories and condolences can be shared with his family at www.hammillfh.com.