Obituary of Douglas James McKay

Doug McKay, a loving dad, brother, son, uncle, and husband, died peacefully on June 3, 2022 at the age of 63. Doug was a larger than life character whose indomitable spirit and brilliant sense of humor earned him many, many friends throughout his life.

Doug was born on December 12, 1958 to the late Herbert (Herb) McKay and Katherine (Kay) McKay (née McShane). As the oldest of seven siblings, Doug was the ultimate big brother to Brian, Ellen, Sean, Maureen, Matthew, and Kieran. Doug grew up in his beloved Woodlawn, getting into antics with many of the colorful characters who lived in the neighborhood. Doug, who was considered to be one of the smartest kids in Woodlawn, always managed to push the envelope just enough to have fun but avoid trouble. At the age of 13, Doug won the Bronx's "Top Youth" award.

After graduating from Cardinal Spellman High School, Doug attended SUNY Maritime (Ft. Schuyler) in the Bronx, where he obtained a B.S. in Marine Engineering. Many of Doug's shipmates at Ft. Schuyler, who knew him as Duke, became his lifelong best friends.  Doug very much enjoyed his time sailing with the U.S. Merchant Marines.

Doug joined Con Edison shortly after college, working as an engineer before ConEd agreed to pay for him to attend law school. Doug went to Fordham Law at night, and upon graduating joined Con Ed's legal department, where he remained until his retirement on April 1st, 2022. Doug, who rose to the position of Associate General Counsel, loved solving challenging problems with his colleagues. A bright part of Doug's workday was his commute into New York City, a trip he made daily with a close group of friends and neighbors.

In 1993, Doug married Dorothy McGlinchey, also from the Bronx. They moved to Darien, Connecticut in 1995, when Katherine (Kat, 26) was born. Two years later, Caroline (Carrie, 24) was born. Doug's daughters were the center of his life. He was the greatest dad anyone could ever hope to have. He shaped all of the best experiences of Kat and Carrie's lives, including skiing and scuba diving trips, St. Patrick's Day parades and fishing in Montauk, tailgates at Notre Dame, winter campouts with the Y Guides & Princesses, and much more. Doug was so happy to share the things he loved with his daughters. Whenever they came home from college, he and his brother Matty would grill them amazing dinners to celebrate. Doug was immensely supportive and proud of his daughters.

Doug was an extremely important part of his extended family. He was a beloved and adoring uncle to his many nieces and nephews: Austin, Alana, Alex, Tommy, and Trevor; Kaylyn, Brendan, and Emily; Gillian, Sean, and Kelly; Lili and Mary Beth; Kieran, Molly, and Connor; Michael, Matthew, Marc, and Morgan; and Robert, Ryan, and Allison. Doug was also close with his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Cris, Joe, Carolyn, Rob, Kristina, Margaret, Mike, Tracey, Eddie, and James.

Doug was a lifelong Catholic. He was an active parishioner of St John's Church in Darien, serving as the first lay Head of the Parish Council in 2010.

One of Doug's most special qualities was his ability to bring people together. He always kept spirits high and beer flowing. He was truly singular in his commitment to his family, friends, and community, and in his ability to foster camaraderie, laughs, and good memories. Doug often said that "every day is a gift." And every day with him was. He is already deeply missed. We love you, Dad.

A wake will be held at Lawrence Funeral Home in Darien, CT on Wednesday, June 8th and Thursday, June 9th from 2–4 PM and 6–8 PM both days. A Catholic funeral Mass will take place at St. John's Church in Darien at 10 AM on Friday, June 10th with a burial at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Glioblastoma Foundation at glioblastomafoundation.org.