Obituary of Douglas G. Tait

Douglas Gordon Tait, 86 WALDOBORO – Douglas Tait died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on July 2, 2015. Doug was born on May 28, 1929 to the late Joseph and Arlene Tait in Waldoboro, and graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1947. After serving 2 years in the Army, Doug returned to Waldoboro where he began a 35 year career at Sylvania as a machinist and a member of the shipping department. On June 27, 1949, Doug married Jacquelyn Harkins, his high school sweetheart. Together they raised 4 children. Doug enjoyed life in the outdoors, fly fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, and golf. He spent much time in Baxter State Park with family members, hiking every trail on Mt. Katahdin at least once, taking weeklong ventures to Russell Pond, and exploring other trails and mountain peaks within the park. Doug was also an avid baseball and basketball fan. In his retirement he and Jackie enjoyed driving cross country, making several trips to Nevada and California. He also enjoyed days on the ocean as sternman for friend and neighbor, Ralph Boyington. Hollywood Slots often fell victim to Doug’s incredible luck with the one-armed bandits. Doug is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Jackie; daughter, Jill Payson and her husband Jeff Payson of Rockport, son, Timothy Tait of Waldoboro, son, Val Tait and his wife Pamela Sawyer Tait of Brunswick, and daughter, Kelli Tait of Nevada; and 6 grandchildren, Amy Harkins of Warren, Angie Stover of Boynton Beach, FL, Jessica Payson of Boston, MA, Jay Arant of Nevada, Alexander Tait of New Orleans, LA, and Emily Tait of Brunswick. The family thanks the incredible staffs of Miles Hospital and Miles & St. Andrews Home Health & Hospice for their outstanding care and support over the past few weeks. At his request, there will be no funeral. A graveside remembrance will be held at Shuman Cemetery in Waldoboro at a later date.