Douglas P. Sabin

SALEM - Mr. Douglas P. Sabin 88, of Salem, beloved husband of the late Margaret (Paton) Sabin, passed away on Monday, November 6th, 2023 at Lahey Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Philip D. Devine and Gertrude W. (Sabin) Devine. Doug grew up in the North Beverly home of his grandparents, Ernest E. and Anna D. (Enslow) Sabin. He enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly serviced his country during the Korean War and Suez Crisis. During his tenure with the military, he traveled the world aboard the USS Randolph, USS Wasp, and USS Valdez. He retired from the Naval Reserves as Chief Petty Officer in 1988 after 32 years of dedicated service.

Following his service to his country, Douglas continued his education, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in History from Suffolk University and his Master’s Degree in American History from Salem State University.

Douglas had an extensive career with the National Park Service, serving at several locations over the years, including as a Park Guide at the Salem Maritime and John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historical Sites, as Chief of Interpretation at the Longfellow House, and as Chief Historian at Minute Man National Historical Park. He was well known in the historical community and respected for his expertise. He was the author of “April 19, 1775: A Historiographical Study,” which is a deeply detailed account of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. He was immensely proud of his work and its place in history.

Doug was a proud longtime member and the current Commander of the American Legion Post #23 of Salem. He was an active member of the Danvers Fish & Game Club. A Trolley driver in Salem, he regaled tourist visitors with stories of Salem’s rich history. He developed an oral history for Coast Guard Air Station Salem and led tours on Winter Island, advocating its development as a historical resource. The island was a favorite of his long-time companion, the late Florence Cooper.

He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan and seldom missed a game. He and his son embarked on many road trips in his retirement, following the Red Sox throughout the United States and Canada. With his daughter, he shared his deep love of the ocean, the National Park Service, and gardening.

Douglas found strength in God, country, and family. During and since the pandemic, and throughout the decline in his health, he comforted others with his resilience, praying aloud Psalm 23. He continued to inspire, raising the flag daily from his front door, and reporting with delight the progression of flowers blooming in his yard.

Douglas was smart, kind, and gentle. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many who will be deeply missed by his family and the many hearts he touched throughout his life.

Surviving Douglas is his daughter, Margaret “Peg” Mulligan and her husband, Kevin of Beverly; his son, Daniel Sabin and his wife, Wendy of Danvers; his grandchildren, Margaret Mulligan of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Johannah Mulligan and James Mulligan of Beverly, and Amanda Sabin of Danvers; and several nieces, including Tracy Devine of Kingston, New Hampshire and her daughter, Carrion. He was also the brother of the late Paul Devine and David Devine. The brothers shared other relatives in common, discovered through recent genealogical research, whom Douglas enjoyed meeting with a warm welcome to the family.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to his visiting hours, which will be held in O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Sunday, November 12th, from 2 to 5 P.M. His funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ocean St., Beverly on Monday, November 13th at 11 A.M. Please meet directly at the church. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Douglas’ memory to the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans' Hospital, in Bedford, Mass - www.va.gov/bedford-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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