FLORENCE- Douglas Wayne Renick, 87, passed peacefully at home in Florence surrounded by family, friends and flowers on June 23, 2026. A special thanks to the kind care of the Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice teams.

Douglas grew up in Central Texas and attended Southwestern University in Georgetown Texas, working summers in Yosemite National Park, and moving East upon graduation to pursue a Master of Divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and an internship in ministry Oxgangs Edinburgh and Iona Abbey, Scotland.

Inspired by his work with the City of New York management development function, he sought a master’s degree from MIT Sloan School of Management, after which he directed the Harvard University Center for Training and Development for 17 years. Doug was an active lay leader with Old Cambridge Baptist Church, a welcoming and affirming faith community dedicated to peace and justice including offering sanctuary to Chilean and Central American refugees.

Doug and Carol first laid down roots in Western Mass in the 1980’s through an abiding connection with Temenos Forest Retreat Center in Shutesbury, and later as founding members of Rocky Hill Cohousing. Before retiring Doug was a systems change consultant in the Springfield area with small to medium manufacturing companies and also with Springfield area schools. His last “job” was to direct Western Mass AFSC, taking the baton from now Senator Jo Comerford.

With his Olympic-sized positive attitude, Doug was uniquely able to address the tragedies of our times as an active contributor to groups taking meaningful actions concerning climate change, Earth justice, nuclear danger, war and hatred of others, particularly people who are migrating for their lives.

Doug bloomed in his retirement years. At the age of 71, he became a modern and improv dancer with Dance Generators and other intergenerational dance performance troupes. He found this late-life discovery was essential to his soul.

Douglas is predeceased by his beloved grandson Nate Couture, his sister Coleen Rhodes, and his parents, Grace and Dillard Renick. He is survived by Carol Rinehart, his soulmate for 43 years; his daughter Ashley Couture (Ken), Burlington VT; his son Colin Renick (Kim), Millersville Maryland; and their daughter Nora Renick-Rinehart, Halifax Nova Scotia; and his cherished grandsons Eric Couture, and Angelo and Louie Renick. He is also survived by his sister Bonnie Weaver in Kerrville, Texas.

His interment will be in the green burial grove at the Highland Cemetery in Montague, MA. 

A Memorial service and reception will be Sunday July 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Haydenville Congregational Church, 143 Main st., Haydenville.

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts go to Temenos Retreat Center (temenosretreatcenter.org), Haydenville Congregational Church (haydenvillechurch.org), World Health Organization(who.int), or to a non-profit you believe Douglas would embrace.