Danny McDougall

With a vitality for life that was unmatched, Thomas “Danny” McDougall carved a path through both the highest peaks and the lowest valleys of life that is paved with integrity, honor, and unconditional love and acceptance for all people. He never worried about gaining great wealth or stature as he focused his time and resources on making life so special for family and both old and new friends alike as he never met stranger. Known for his timeless stories and his “little ditties” as they were called, Danny loved life and loved sharing his heartfelt laughter with everyone in his path. The memories he leaves behind will be a lasting treasure for generations to come.

Nestled within the vibrant decade of the 1920s was the year 1925 that boasted of the first inaugural address broadcasted over the airwaves, the founding of the Chrysler Corporation, and the publication of The Great Gatsby. This year was an unforgettable year for Thomas Earl and Clara (LeBlanc) McDougall because their family grew to include a healthy baby boy on October 26th. Thomas Daniel was born in Alpena, Michigan, and was joined in the McDougall family by his older sister, Rosemary.

The McDougall family, of Scottish and Irish descent, was well known in the area as Danny’s father owned and operated the Owl Café since 1914. Their bar and restaurant was frequently a focal point for social gatherings in the small town of Alpena.

Some of the most memorable moments during Danny’s formative years were the ones he spent fishing with his father in Thunder Bay, Canada and hunting together as well. His father took him to a friend's hunting camp in Mio, Michigan where he shot his firt buck at age 10.

In many ways Danny experienced an upbringing that was fairly common for the times. He was close friends with Frank O’Donnell, Jere Richards, Charlie Lytle, Bill Yockey, and Jimmie Richards. Although he was a talented hunter and fisherman, singing wasn’t really his thing. In fact, his voice was so terrible that while performing in a Christmas program he was asked to just mouth the words instead of actually singing!

Prior to graduating from High School in 1944, Danny answered the call to serve his country during WWII. His dad stood in for him at the graduation ceremonies and received his diploma. He served in the Army Air Corps in the South Pacific as a belly gunner. Danny was a part of an important piece of history as a soldier on the first plane to land in Japan in early 1945. When asked if he was a fighter Danny’s quick witted response was always, “No, just a fast runner!”

A firm believer in education, Danny attended Central Michigan University for two years with a focus in business. The knowledge he gained there was applied to his work at the Owl Café. Danny began working there after he returned from WWII, but he took over ownership of it in 1959 when he purchased interest from William “Bud” McDougall. He worked there throughout his career until he sold the business in 1995.

Life was forever changed for Danny when he met and later married Margaret Kennedy on August 25, 1949. They just clicked in many ways, and she always found everything Danny said and did to be so funny. Their love grew to include three wonderful children who were the life of Danny’s life: Barbara, Kristine, and Pattie. Although his work took him away from home quite a bit, Danny always made time for his family. Treasured family memories were made on Sunday drives to Mackinac including the times they watched the bridge construction, and his family will always laugh whenever they think of the pink station wagon. Danny was deeply saddened with Margaret’s death on November 18, 1990. That was a very sad day as it was also his father's birthday.

There were so many things that Danny was interested in throughout his life. He was a member of the Owl Ski Club, the Knights of Columbus, and was affiliated with a number of service organizations. Danny was the captain of the USS Maysink and on one stormy day in Presque Isle Harbor, she actually did sink. Presque Isle was a special place to Danny as he loved sharing picnics with his family there, often with his great-grandparents who were appointed as the lighthouse keepers by President Abraham Lincoln. He was a dog lover who tolerated their dog, Mr. Chips, who was always in the neighborhood and written about in the Alpena News about always bring home neighbors pots & pans. There was also their Irish Setter, King, and their Cocker Spaniel, Abigail. Danny was an avid fisherman and hunter throughout his life and a lifetime member of the Little Wolf Hunting Club at Hubbard Lake where it was rumored that he had shot 7,568 deer throughout his hunting career. Since his daughter Barbara suffered with polio, the day they found a cure for the debilitating disease was one of the best days of Danny’s life.

A community-minded man, Danny served as Chief Sergeant-at-Arms in the Michigan House of Representatives for 10 years. He also served as the Alpena County Magistrate until he officially retired in 1999 at the age of 73.

Danny found love again with a woman named Barbara Purol. They married on February 15, 1997, and enjoyed so many of the same things such as fishing, the beauty of the great outdoors, and traveling to Labrador to fish for five pound brook trout. They frequently traveled together including to Alaska for their honeymoon, Ontario, Canada to go fishing, Nashville, Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, Washington, D.C., and Key West, Florida.

Some will remember Thomas Daniel McDougall for his funny remarks or his great stories while others will remember him for the way he was so often dressed in fishing garb. However, it was his deep love for and complete acceptance of all people that will be remembered most. No one ever had a bad thing to say about Danny, and he was deeply loved by many.

Thomas Daniel “Danny” McDougall died on Tuesday July 19, 2011. Danny’s family includes his wife, Barbara; children, Barbara (John) Peter of Grand Blanc, MI, Kristine (Michael) Lamble of Alpena, MI, Pattie McDougall of Santa Barbara, CA; five step-children, Deborah Kieliszewski of Dearborn, MI, Jennifer (William) Giannetti of Macomb, MI, Clarissa Kieliszewski of Royal Oak, MI, Danielle Addington of Dearborn, MI, Lana (Brian) Figueiredo of Howell, MI; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Danny was preceded in death by his sister, Rosemary Hainstock. Family and friends will gather on Thursday at McWilliams Funeral Home - Alpena from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Friday, July 22, 2011 at St. Bernard Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial mass at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Greg McCallum officiating. There will be a Vigil service at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. Thursday with Fr. James Kendziorski officiating. VFW Post # 2496 will provide military honors at the church. Inurnment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard Catholic Church Capital Improvement Fund or Hospice of Michigan. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or sign the online guest book.