Editor’s Note: Douglas Megargee died unexpectedly on March 11th at the age of sixty-three. A graduate of Washington College, Doug was a realtor with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate for many years, coached countless lacrosse teams, and a member of the Vestry at Shrewsbury Parish Episcopal Church. A collection of friends submitted the following for publication.
Friendships come in many forms, and while acquaintances may be easy to define, genuinely good friendships: not so much. Those can never be adequately described, only felt. That’s what friendship was like with Doug Megargee.
Douglas showed up on the Shore in the fall of 1975, with surfboards and a massive personality in hand. Enrolled as a freshman at Washington College, the boards immediately earned him the “Moondog” moniker. Simultaneously, that personality (dwarfed only by the size of his compassionate heart) had him known by the entire student body in about a day and a half.
The following four decades of school, hunting, carpentry, boatyards, real estate, his church, and finally, the County’s Planning Commission allowed Moon to touch many lives. His wit and inherent ability to command the attention of an entire room from the moment of entrance until 5 minutes after departure could, on rare occasions, annoy the hell out of some. However, far more regularly, it left most, if not all, better and happier for his having been there.
But the banter and humor were not the only constants in Doug’s life. Friendship was crucial to him, but the most evident uninterrupted thread throughout his time was his devotion to his family. First, as a son (of a lawyer as he was apt to add) and brother, then-husband, and father, Moon’s love of his brood was the compass that guided him along life’s passage. Few conversations didn’t include a reference to his folks, an acknowledgment of Mary’s desire to have him be healthy, and a listing of Paige’s achievements since your last conversation.
While Moon’s buddies were essential to him, he was as, if not more important, to them. At times, the entertaining, obnoxious, wisecracking, and laughter were contributing factors, but they were secondary to a different trait. What set Doug apart was his extraordinary ability to empathetically listen to a friend’s pain and comfort them through whatever loss they were experiencing. His laughter was good medicine, but his compassion was lifesaving.
Doug, your friends, bid you goodbye. You’ll be greatly missed. We may no longer be able to share laughter with you, but we will enjoy your humor for many years to come. By the way, Douglas, we are aware this is giving you the chance to get your side of the story out first, but we’re ok with it. Just keep them laughing.
Jay Yerkes says
Beautiful reflection of a beautiful man.
Cindy and Tom Fulton says
We got to know him in his realtor hat, but enjoyed him most in the ways that were mentioned in this article. He was generous and kind, witty and intelligent, and always interesting to talk with. We have a little bit of him with us in the Doug Megargee Snow grate embedded in our back deck. Sort of our own memorial. R.I.P.
matthew t weir says
I am so saddened to learn of Doug’s death. He was a wonderful person, and as his friends say, larger than life. My life is richer for having known Doug.
Eileen says
very well expressed. He will sadly be missed by many.
Charlene Smith says
Very nice man. Always had us laughing at the hardware store in Rock Hall. He will truly be missed. Prayers for his family and friends.
Crystal Brown says
Doug would swing by and grab Alicin in the mornings so she and Paige could get on the bus together. Many days, he bypassed the bus ans drove them to Wilkens Lane (late for school) because those girls had talked him into Dunkin Donuts! Doug was a great guy, and a friend to everyone.
Jimmy Sullivan says
Loved Doug since we were 5 years old together in Brigantine
Wish we had more time together
Robin J Frank (Megargee) says
Wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. I feel blessed to have known him through marriage to my husband, Geoffrey Megargee, Doug’s first cousin. Mary and Paige, Geoff and my son Ruslan and my hearts are with you during this terrible time. With love, Robin
Audrey Kinter says
A beautiful tribute to my cousin Doug and very much on target regarding his big heart and personality. Memories that stand out are incessant dumb blonde jokes (directed at me), food fights at Thanksgiving and a wonderful birthday I spent with him, Mary and Paige. I will miss him terribly.
Lydia R says
He was such a wonderful man. I didn’t know him personally but when I was working at my restaurant job in town all through high school he was always one of my favorite customers. His humor always made a tough shift lighter! He will be missed.
Jenifer Emley says
A real sweetheart. I saw him frequently on Cross Street and he always had a kind word and a warm smile. I miss him.
Cannie says
I am so very sad to hear of Doug’s passing. My sincere sympathies go out to Mary and Paige and all is family and loved ones. We were friends since we were 4 years old. Whenever I think of him I smile. He was a great guy and I will miss him very much.
God bless you Dougie
Cannie Berry
Bumper DeMari says
Doug Megargee was my best friend growing up. We were born one day apart in Atlantic City Hospital. We ended up living 2 houses apart on 27th street in Brigantine NJ. As young kids we would climb the trees in his backyard and
hang out with a gang of friends that included his sister Moria, my sister Donna, Tim Mooney and Donnie Albert.
Doug and I would do crazy stuff as young kids. I recently talked with him and and he was still mad that I pushed him into the neighbors steps on his tricycle. We peed into a pretzel can once and tried to pass it off as lemonade to the mailman. I think we were 7 or 8 years old trying to be funny!Lucky for us it didnt work. Doug had a great energy about him and a charisma that made him many friends. Later on growing up Doug was the first guy to get me stoned, he turned me on to Neil Young. He just seemed to know what was cool way before all of us. He got into surfing and was a mainstay at the Brigantine Yacht club. His Dad Harry was a duck hunter and decoy maker, his mom Sara used to garden in the back yard and sing with a beautiful voice in the kitchen. Doug was a big guy and a loyal friend.He once stepped in when I was about to fight some bully and with one punch laid the guy out. Then picked him up and made friends with him like only Doug could. Doug had style, a great personality, and was quick with a joke. My memories of Doug are the best.He will be sadly missed by his buds in Brigantine. Mike Laielli was very good friend of Doug’s along with a whole crew of Margate high school friends that went to Atlantic High.
Doug was a one of a kind good time guy. The world is less without him. RIP good buddy!
Moira says
Thank you, Bumper! This was so lovely. If you ever want to reminisce about Doug, I’m a phone call away. 💕
Michael Laielli says
Well said Bumper. I have so many great memories of growing up with Doug. I guess that living on a small barrier island was better than we realized as youngsters. My friendship with Doug covered everything from surfing and boating to discovering the Allman Brothers Band. We quickly discovered that double album cover was the best for cleaning the seeds out of our weed. I think we knew every song by heart. I realized what a true friend he was when he would brave coming over to my house after school and risk getting roughed up by my oldest brother and his buddy. Needless to say, Doug’s house was a safe haven compared to mine so I started hanging out there marveling over Harry’s tight little workshop filled with every decoy carving tool you could imagine, backed by a house full of every kind of award winning decoy. That In itself inspired me to become a woodworker. Sarah somehow accepted me as Doug’s partner in crime, and I was allowed into the landmark home to discover the more cool things like her antique bottle collection in the windows as you climbed up the stairs. One of Doug’s secrets was that he could polish off a whole bag of Oreos and half gallon of milk in a morning tv session… and I thought I was a scarfer! Doug was also a good self taught harmonica player, and also turned me on to John Mayall. I eventually got one too, but couldn’t play like Doug so I stuck to the drums. I’m really surprised we never formed a band because Bumper got really good on the guitar and so did Tim Mooney. I remember the day he was driving my VW beetle towing me and another buddy on skateboards around brigantine and he got caught by the police, we both hid and left Doug to talk his way out of it. And the time he got my Dog out of jail for being on the lose. I really thought he’d grow up to be an attorney!…. I liked surfing so much that during the high school years I decided to get my GED and head to California in 75. That really crushed Doug and I didn’t realize it until many years later. He told me about it on one of the visits back to Brigantine. Young and stupid, ready to conquer the world, was my thing. Losing touch with my best friend of the 70’s was not part of the plan. Boy would I love to go back to those days of hanging out with Doug, and getting into mischief. Rest easy my big Lil brother, we will chase waves in heaven some day.. please save me some Oreos!
Amanda says
It was so nice to reconnect. Thank you for your memories.❤
Amanda Megargee Sutton says
Thank you Bumper for such a good memories!
Paige Megargee says
I can’t tell you how many times I heard the story about my dad being pushed into the neighbors steps by Bumper DeMari. It’s so wonderful to know that is something that the both of you never forgot. Thank you for sharing such kind words and funny stories❤️
Philip Reese says
Doug was the service manager at Gratitude Marina when I bought my first sailboat, a Sabre 38. He became the quarter back of a complete renovation of the sloop and did s superb job. But beyond that he became a friend and confident with whom I spent many a time over lunch hearing the stories, having a laugh or in the end great support when I lost my dad. He left Gratitude to go into the real estate business. Bummer, I thought, but the friendship remained and when I bought my Sabre 42.6 he offered to quarterback it’s renovation. The boat was perfect thanks to him and Haven Harbor’s Mark Bryden who Doug introduced me to. We remained friends and quite frankly, it just won’t seem the same on the shore without Doug. He will truly be missed, a magnificent guy.
Brandon Ingram says
We will miss you Doug but not in our hearts ! My condolences to your family . And friends ! With the deepest respect to your family . Just a great family man and great guy !!
Kelly and John Mecca says
Doug was a wonderful man and his legacy will live on. Our family’s have been intertwined for two decades–the stories and pictures tell of so much love and great times had by all…We will miss him terribly and our hearts go out to Mary and Paige.
Lisa Neustadter Cohen says
As an old friend of Doug’s from the ACHS Class of ‘75, I can tell you Doug was one of the most popular guys at ACHS. He was so friendly and caring. A great friend who really cherished all the good times we all had together. We still kept in touch after almost 45 years! That was the kind of guy he was. When we spoke he was always telling me about his wife and daughter. He was such a proud dad. It’s hard to imagine that Doug is no longer with us. He once said to me…”If you don’t have grief, you didn’t have much.” I have never forgotten that. And it is SO itrue….which is why everyone feels grief over losing Doug. He truly left his mark on all of our lives and he will never be forgotten. Sending love from the ACHS GANG. 💜
Frank and Nancy Petrone says
It was our first visit with my sister Mary and Doug after their wedding. Doug had an after dinner announcement, it wasn’t the traditional welcome to the family toast; however, but more a declaration that we are now “Kin”. Kin is old English for family that dates back over one thousand years and has a more clannish aspect. I liked being kin but more importantly we came to love our new kin. The Megargee’s were blessed with our precious niece Paige, the family grew and our circle of friends changed. One thing never changed Nancy and I were forever Doug’s kin and proud of it. God be with you Doug With love Frank & Nancy.