Douglas R. Wilson, Owner & Manager
Douglas R. (“Doug”) Wilson is a native and life-long resident of Norwich, and is a second generation funeral director, having followed in the footsteps of his father, Braden (“Pete”) Wilson. For over a decade, Doug helped his father manage the funeral home until his father’s unexpected passing in 1991. After Pete’s passing, Doug became co-owner of the Devine-Wilson Memorial Home, and in 2002 became the sole owner and operator of Wilson Funeral Home, Inc.
Doug is a graduate of Norwich High School, Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), and the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service (Syracuse, NY). He completed his residency in Syracuse, NY, with the Frasier-Shepardson Funeral Home, and in 1980 was licensed as a funeral director by the State of New York. During his 30 years as a licensed funeral director, Doug has been guided by his sense of how to provide dignified services for the deceased and compassion for the families he serves.
His altruism is evidenced by his activities outside of the funeral home. Doug has served as a member, on the Board of Directors, or as President of the local YMCA, Hospice of Chenango County, Norwich Rotary Club, Norwich Youth Bureaus, and area cemetery organizations. To help ensure the quality and viability of funeral services, he has served as President of the New York State Funeral Directors Association (NYSFDA), an active association representing over 900 funeral firms and 3,500 licensed funeral directors statewide. He currently serves on the NYSFDA Board of Directors. To this end, Doug has also served as President of the Leatherstocking Funeral Directors Association; as a member of the NYSFDA Family Assistance Commission; and as a member of the National Funeral Directors Association.
Doug and his wife, Sharon, a local elementary school teacher, have been happily married for 33 years. Doug and Sharon raised their daughter, Kelly, in Norwich until Kelly left home to study at Bucknell University and, later, the George Washington University School of Law. When time allows, Doug and Sharon travel to visit Kelly in the Capitol area where Kelly works as an attorney.
Doug is an avid golfer, and was inducted into the Canasawacta Country Club Hall of Fame in 2008. If not at work, on the links, or visiting his daughter, Doug can be found in the warm seasons boating or fishing on Chenango Lake. He is also annually involved either as a participant or volunteer in YMCA sponsored basketball leagues, has coached YMCA youth sports teams, and is a daily patron of the YMCA fitness facility.
Doug and Sharon recently relocated to their new residence on Chenango Lake.
