BOSCAWEN, NH —Douglas William McGrail passed away peacefully on July 7, 2019 from complications from pneumonia after living with Parkinson’s Disease for many years. Douglas was born on March 22, 1942 in Randolph, Vt. the youngest of eight children. He grew up in South Royalton, Vermont and graduated from South Royalton High School in 1961.
Douglas served in the United States Army National Guard and worked for Capitol Fire Protection Co. for 21 years where he was known to many as Uncle Doug. During this time he started his own business, Doug’s Security Systems. Doug had an entrepreneurial spirit starting at a very young age with his paper route. In 1987 he incorporated his business forming Capitol Alarm Systems, Inc. growing the business with his son-in-law, Roger and daughter Kimberly into one of the largest independent alarm companies in New Hampshire. Doug served as Founder and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement. Doug was also the Treasurer of the NH Alarm Association for many years.
Doug always considered himself luck and was a champion of the underdog. He was a strong support of youth sports and raised money for the Merrimack Valley town and school sports teams. Serving as the treasurer of the Merrimack Valley Little League and Merrimack Valley High School Boosters for many years. His company sponsored many local sports teams and bought thousands of ice cream cones for the winning and losing teams at the local ice cream stand. He never wanted a child to go without an opportunity to participate in organized sports. He always remembered fondly his participation in sports and the people that made his participation possible. Doug lettered in all three high school sports and was known as Gunner. He often joked it was a reference to as many shots as he took to make a basket.
Doug was passionate about his four Grandchildren, Roger, Emily, Marissa and Dylan. He enjoyed bragging about their accomplishments and was proud of their pursuit of their dreams and of their continued education and enjoyed following their world travels.
Doug supported his youngest grandson’s pursuit of race car driving. He traveled with the Duhaime Family nearly every summer weekend for the past 14 years. He developed a passion for racing and the people he met along the way. He was known as Grandpa in the racing community on the team known as 3D Racing.
Doug was an avid sports fan and a Season Ticket holder of the Boston Celtics and Boston Red Sox for many years.
He enjoyed games of luck and skill, from cards and cribbage to pool. He owned and operated Concord Billiards as a hobby for several years. Doug was a natural salesman and enjoyed the pursuit, whether it was obtaining an item for his many collections ranging from coins to sports cards or purchasing a company to grow his business.
He is predeceased by his Mother, Mary Vesper Adams McGrail and Father, Merrill McGrail, his brothers, Richard and Paul McGrail and Chester Adams and his sister Betty Calhoon. He leaves behind two sisters, Jean Rattee-Silver of Loudon, NH and Ruth Adams of Nashua, NH and many nieces and nephews.
Doug leaves behind his devoted wife of 53 years, Kathy McGrail of Boscawen, NH and their two daughters; His favorite first daughter, Kathleen McGrail Duhaime and her husband Shawn Duhaime and their son Dylan Douglas Duhaime of Loudon, NH and his favorite youngest daughter, Kimberly Rose Laro and her husband Roger G. Laro, Jr of Andover, NH and their three children Roger Guy Laro III, Emily Rose Laro, and Marissa Anne Laro.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday July 10th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Wendell J. Butt Funeral Home 42 Washington Street Penacook, NH 03303
A Graveside Funeral Burial service will be Held on Monday, July 15that 1:00 o’clock pm in the Pine Grove Cemetery on Cornhill Rd. In Boscawen.
In lieu of Flowers donations can be made to Penacook Rescue 1 Oak Street Boscawen, NH 03303; or the CRVNA Hospice House program 30 Pillsbury Street Concord, NH. 03303