Doug was driving by & stopped to ask about my house and we chatted for about an hour that day.  He was the only living person I met that knew any history about my house. And... I had always wondered why Lakeview ẃas named that since it didn't have a view of the lake.  He shared about when he walked to school,  stopping along the way to feed sugar to the horses, on the way to the old  Chippewa Jr High School, which definitely had a view of the lake.  It was originally the Lakeview elementary school on the first level,  JR High on the second level and on top was the High School.  And then how they were using lead paint to paint inside  Ardmore Elementary, when it was built,  while they were in schooll, and so many kids went home sick. How he had hoped to fix up his old Ford (Model T I think!) I had always hoped that we could continue that conversation,  so I could learn more.   When I didn't hear you drive by anymore,  I figured you got your last new car you thought you'd buy. 
 Thanks for the wonderful conversation neighbor.  I pray you're doing what you love in Heaven! ❤️

For 13 years Doug was our very special neighbor and he became a friend.  We shared meals together, had conversations about growing up, faith, family, cars and races (and so much more). He helped us with tasks and kept an ever watchful eye on our house while we were gone. He even watered my flowers now and then.  He always had a story to tell. He loved greeting neighborhood kids as they went to and from school. Even my 6 out-of-town sisters got to know him and he named them by birth order - #2, #3, #4 so on. 
He sent them Christmas cards and they sent him birthday and Christmas cards. 
He was a Sunnydale icon and will be missed. 

We lived next to door for a year and a half in St. Clair Shores.  He would come and visit with our kids during the summer and make funny jokes and came up with nicknames for each of our kids - Ava Gardner, Car Buddy, and Runaway!  We would bring him dinner many nights too and leave it inside his door in case he was napping.  He had cool antique toys and lots of good stories to tell of his life growing up in Detroit.  He was a special man and we will cherish our memories with him.  We look forward to seeing you in heaven, Doug!

Mr Doug was definitely a very special neighbor to our family. He made sure to greet the kids before they went to school, and be at his big tree when the kids got out of school. 
His knowledge of cars always amazed me. 
Thank you Mr Doug, for being so special to us. 
Rest easy, and see you at home.

My name is Anthony Bellestri I am the builder of the homes just to the west of Doug’s house on Sunnydale.  I met Doug when I first bought the lots and tour the house that was there down and build to new homes at which time I got to know Doug very well he was a good man with a good heart we talked for many hours about many things over a span of the those couple years he was very knowledgeable and entertaining about this area the way it was and the way it is now, may God bless his Soul and may he rest in peace with his lovely wife and family amen.  🙏

I was very sorry to hear this.  He was younger than me and my brothers when we were at Trinity.  It is possible he met us when we got out of the service.  What I think was great is that he and I met on one of my trips there.  We talked for a while over coffee.  He was outgoing and friendly.  And whenever I stopped in, he would say hello using my name and we would gab for a while.  

I saw him at the 100 year celebration.  We both used our names in greeting.  It was great being met by someone I knew. 

 I was shocked to here that he had passed the next Wednesday.  My prayers go out to those who he loved and who loved him.  

Jim Gillard

To the family and friends: Doug and I went to, and graduated together, Lakeview High School. We drove together for a lot of the three years. Mr. Parsell, his father, often would help me with my car, which many times broke down and I would have to ride to school with Doug. When I would return to St. Clair Shores to visit my  mother, we would often talk and remember the "good old days". Gonna miss you, old friend. RIP

Best neighbor I’ve ever had.  He was our friend, neighbor and a staple of our community.  Every day during the school year Doug would stand out in front and as all the kids and parents would be on there way to classes he made sure he was there to great them and wave and chat and there again on there way out.   I moved in next door to Doug back in 2015.  The history of our little town was engrained in his memory and he loved to share everything he knew.  Every Tuesday our lawn guy would come to cut the grass and Doug and my Father (who lives with us) and me and the doggies would sit outside for hours in the summer and talk about everything and anything.  He was a car guy, a veteran, a true friend and I will miss him dearly.  The Shores just won’t be the same without him here . Rest in peace my friend, he’s back with his loving wife and there pups, and I’ll bet anything he’s telling a story right now and talking about cars.  Miss you my friend 🙏❤️

OBITUARY

Douglas Howard Parsell

June 20, 1945 – June 22, 2023

Kaul Funeral Home

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