BCAT News

Published by Legacy Remembers

Musician and educator Doug McIntosh, son of Walter and Veronica McIntosh (deceased) of Danvers MA, died in Exeter NH at 80 on Wednesday, April 10th after a brief illness. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He was born in Medford MA and grew up in the north shore area of Massachusetts.

Doug was inspired in junior high to pursue music after hearing jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano perform. While a student at Masconomet High School in Topsfield MA he composed the school’s alma mater song which is still used today.

Doug majored in music education at UMass Lowell and while there married Helene Scully McIntosh (deceased), the love of his life and partner for 58 years. He leaves three beloved sons: Ian McIntosh (wife Julia) of Stratham NH; Seth McIntosh (wife Kerry) of Hampton NH and his namesake Douglas Andrew McIntosh Jr (deceased). He also leaves four beloved grandchildren: Liam and Maya McIntosh of Hampton NH and Cain and Cyrus McIntosh of Stratham NH; as well as siblings Dr. Roger McIntosh, Jean Nesbitt (husband John) and Andrea McIntosh.

Doug was a music educator for 28 years in the Burlington MA Public Schools as band director and system-wide Director of Music. Along the way he acquired a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College and 45 doctoral credits beyond the masters. Doug was a skilled arranger, and in addition to writing for professionals he designed and marketed unique music for student ensembles. He was a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and Massachusetts Music Educators Association. Throughout his life Doug was involved in recording music. He established Strive Records in Poughkeepsie NY during the 1960s, where he engineered recording sessions and arranged/produced radio advertising jingles for area businesses. He embraced the advent of multi-track recorders and continued through the years to produce a plethora of studio projects. In retirement, his favorite studio project was an annual CD album of music with sons Ian and Seth. As a professional musician, Doug played an assortment of woodwind, brass, and keyboard instruments. He performed with top forty groups in nightclubs and also worked for many years in function bands. He established, rehearsed, and arranged for two New England area concert groups: Pieces of Eight, a jazz octet, and Professors of Funk, an eight-piece soul group. Doug was also an avid handyman, at one point single handedly building an entire two-story garage/family room addition at one of his homes. He also loved cooking, especially for family gatherings. During his retirement, he and wife Helene spent 20 idyllic years in FL, finally ending up in Exeter NH in 2020 to be near family.