Douglas Raymond Aspinall

Douglas R. Aspinall, 78, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones following a year-long battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

Doug grew up in Pennsylvania’s Haycock Mountains until 1962, when the state acquired the neighborhood to create Nockamixon State Park. His family relocated to Riegelsville, where Doug graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School in Easton in 1965.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1966 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. His military decorations include a Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device.

Doug was a complicated, independent and determined man with a sharp mind who lived life on his own terms. He wore many hats, working as a postal worker, truck driver and dispatcher before becoming a vice president and ultimately an owner of multiple companies. An entrepreneur at heart, he was always looking for his next opportunity.

His lifelong passion for aviation began as a young boy with model airplanes. On September 17, 1966, he logged his first flight at Van Sant grass airfield in a J-3 Piper Cub. Over the next 33 years, he spent more than 19,000 hours in the air and flew a remarkable variety of aircraft, including Citabrias, Cessnas, PA-28s, Citations, a Pitts Special, Meyers 200M, Schweizer sailplanes, an L-19 Bird Dog and an Aviat Husky. His final logged flight was November 19, 1999. For Doug, flying represented adventure, independence and freedom.

Doug married Denise Thibeault, in 1983 at Graceland in North Brookfield. He was fiercely devoted to Denise and spent much of his later years caring for her through her own health challenges. Together, they enjoyed traveling to their home in the Florida Keys, boating, fishing and dining. Doug took great pride in his businesses, real estate and the collections he built along the way. He was especially proud of his son, Patton; his stepchildren, Nichole and Corey; and his grandchildren, Morgan, TJ, Charlotte and Madeline and his brother Denny and sister Susie.

Doug was an avid reader and historian who loved researching subjects that captured his interest. He was devoted to his pet companions, Fritzy, a Maine Coon cat, and Rocky, a Boxer. He enjoyed building and collecting model airplanes and military memorabilia and could talk at length about history, current events, politics, religion, movies, television, aviation, or nearly anything else that caught his attention.

Doug filled his life with adventures, challenges, successes, setbacks and countless stories. He was a man of strong opinions, fierce independence and extraordinary curiosity.

Doug will be cremated, and a service with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Details will be announced when arrangements are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Doug’s name to the Purple Heart Foundation (purpleheartfoundation.org) supporting wounded and disabled veterans and their families.