Doug Rockwell (1936-2024)

Douglas Rockwell passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the Wynn Hospital in Utica, NY with his loved ones by his side. He was born on Jan. 29 1936, in Utica, the only child of the late George and Esther Rockwell of Madison. Doug grew up in the southern Oneida County towns of Waterville, Deansboro and Madison. Doug graduated from Waterville High School. On May 15, 1958, in Madison, Doug married Nancy Annette Gaskins. As a young man Doug found himself not wanting to continue the family legacy of farming and cattle dealing like his father had done to provide for the family. What he had discovered was that he was especially good at fixing things and for that matter building almost anything from scratch. He was an accomplished welder and knew his way around auto mechanics as well. All this knowledge served him well as he spent 30 years in various maintenance and mechanical positions at Hamilton College in Clinton NY. Doug was also an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, snowmobiling pretty much anything outside. He loved his pets and always had a dog or cat or both throughout his life. Family time was also very important to him. Most of all Doug will be remembered as a loving, kind, devoted, generous and gentle husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Doug is survived by his son Jack and wife Terry Rockwell, his daughter Audrey Juliano, his cherished grandchildren, Scott and wife Hannah Rockwell, Rachel Rockwell, Alyssa Juliano, Frankie Juliano, Bianca Juliano and Joey Juliano and two step grandchildren Brent Vanderquist and Jenna Bloomquist. Thankfully he was also able to recently meet his first great grandchild miss Finley Jane Rockwell new daughter of Scott and Hannah. He was predeceased by his father and mother George and Esther and his dear wife of 33 years Nancy.

 For 88 years I would like to think the world was a little better place with Doug in it. Every single year on Jan 29 in the middle of winter for his birthday he wanted homemade vanilla ice cream. A tradition throughout our family began by his mother then handed over to his wife then to his children we always made sure Doug got his ice cream on his birthday. Even during his last days in the hospital when the nurses asked could they get him anything he was quick to reply some ice cream would be nice, and thankfully they would always find him some. Sometimes the most seemingly insignificant little things become our most cherished memories.

A small family graveside service for Doug will be on Sunday, July 21 at 12 noon in the Madison Cemetery on South St in Madison. Following the service at 2:00 pm there will be a Celebration of Doug’s life at the residence of Jack and Terry Rockwell 101 Pinehurst Lane, Oriskany Falls NY

And Yes, there will be homemade Ice cream!