Douglas R. Crowley

Our adored Douglas Crowley, 28, died unexpectedly at home March 4, 2021. He was sensitive, kind, brilliant, gregarious, and wickedly funny. He attended Hingham Public Schools and was deemed a National Merit Scholar based on his Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores. Doug was a prodigious writer, always found carrying his handwritten journal. Since childhood, Doug was wise, well beyond his years. Even at the age of 12, Doug impressed counselors nearly twice his age at the YMCA summer camp, who said they were left dumbfounded by this little kid. He was the most persuasive person you would ever meet. A warm and resilient soul, Doug would strike up conversation with anyone, and would leave them surprised and impressed with his in-depth knowledge of so many topics.  

This trait served him well as he followed his long-held dream to move to Manhattan, on his own, at the age of 21. With his aggressive work ethic, he quickly worked his way into the city’s top restaurants, where he would frequently interact with world diplomats and TV personalities. He loved honing his Spanish skills to communicate with restaurant colleagues and dining patrons alike. On his days off, he photographed likely half the city and its folks. When the luster of living in the big city wore thin, Doug returned to Weymouth and transferred his skills to Harvard Pilgrim Health Insurance. He tirelessly and compassionately helped customers overwhelmed by their health insurance complexities, which he soaked up like a sponge. Recently Doug developed a deeper interest in the law and was plotting his path to law school. 

Doug was the beloved brother of Cynthia Crowley of Burlington, VT, son of Karyn Donahue of Somerville, and Richard Crowley and his partner Kathy Boyle, and family to Mike and Kelly Boyle, all of Weymouth. He is also survived by his grandmothers, Amelia Crowley, of Weymouth, and Alice Donahue, of Quincy, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins. Doug was an astonishing gift to us all and will be desperately missed. 

Doug had long been contending with the underlying causes of substance abuse, which likely cost him his life. To the millions of folks whose loved ones are also dealing with this disease never, ever give up hope with this daily battle. If you yourself are struggling with addiction, know that it is never too late. You can beat this. It’s an illness, no fault of one’s own, no different than cancer or heart disease. Remember, every day is a bonus. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday 2-5 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off Route 3A – Bicknell Square). A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 5 PM in McDonald Keohane Funeral Home and also livestreamed at this time on this page. For those who cannot gather together with Doug’s family at this time, friends may still offer their support by clicking the link above and sharing a special memory or message. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Doug’s memory to www.learn2cope.org , a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs.