About Doug

In my haste to get this site ready for the launch of the Flat Doug project, and it being 2 years to the day I last saw him alive. I am not in a place to write "about Doug" So instead, excerpts from FaceBook posts...

Bill Zeoli: For me it was always, always, a hug. Whenever I saw Doug as he got older I would extend my hand. After all, he was a man, or becoming a man. Without fail, he would push my hand away and give me a hug, saying a handshake was not the way he and I should greet each other. Cherished memory.

Walt Zakrzewski: I was just a step grandfather, but to Dougie I was Grandpa Walt. I will always remember that even as a adult - he never shook my hand. It was always a meaningful hug!

Hannah Heinzer: Meet Dougie!! Dougie some day might be a service dog! I named Dougie after Doug Usseglio. I have waited a year to meet this dog and now that he is finally here I can't believe it ! This dog is sweet and kind just like Dougie! I couldn't think of a better way to honor you Dougie then for you to continue to help and change people's lives as a service dog! Love you Dougie! ❤️💚 #DJU #21

Victoria McGovern: Despite Michelle Usseglio, Stephen McGovern and Heather McGovern s best efforts there are no pictures to be found of Dougie and I or our families but we will always know the memories we share. He taught me card games and kept me company when I didn't want to do the girly things that my sisters were doing and I'm pretty sure i just had a huge crush on him at age 5. We grew up together and we had the absolute best of times I wish so much that things were different, but life is life and sometimes its not. He was so good and cared about everyone he knew, and he will truly be missed. I know he'll watch over us all. Wishing it wasn't true, but Rest in Peace Dougie.

Alexa Zeoli: Missing you a little extra tonight, cuz. Wish we could've been drinking and watching the B's together....I miss you and think about you everyday. <3hope you're killing it up there. Love ya buddy!!

Kelly Murphy: Thank you for sitting through all my dance shows and bringing me flowers every time. You are the best, best friend I could've asked for. Miss you everyday DU

Taylor McKenna: Thanks for watching the sunrise with me this morning and listening to me bitch/sob/laugh as you normally would have. i miss you so much, your pinwheel spun like crazy the whole time i was with you. we want you back so bad babe. continue to watch over us. and please send mikey some good vibes. i love you dougie

Billy Zeoli: Yo remember that time down in Myrtle and how crazy Coastal was? You didn't want to leave at 1 point, had to basically drag you out because you wanted to move in right then and there. How about the time in the basement at gardencrest and we were "sword fighting" like we were at medieval times and the swords were actually big ass light bulbs and they shattered off the second hit. Your mom and Andy weren't too happy. Or the time where you, Rowland and cappa saved my life at your house. Haha sorry I scared ya bud.

Wish I would of been there so I could return the favor. Been waking up everyday since you left us just thinking and trying to remember as much as I can the past 20 years. Love you bud.

Emma Tufts: There are little to no words to describe a time such as this one. Heaven gained a beautiful angel this weekend. I hope you brought your ice skates Dougie! Happy 23rd Birthday, we love and miss you infinite amounts. My heart goes out to my amazingly strong godmother Auntie Michelle, my little cutie Julia, Gary, the rest of my family, and anyone else who's lives Doug has touched.❤️ rest in paradise.

Colin Clapton: First week I had the pleasure of sharing a room with you. I remember feeling like I had known you for years just after that first week together. Nights spent staying up past curfew playing NHL and watching Boston Legal till our eyes were heavy. Feels like this has been the longest year without you, but this year has brought me so many positive things in my life, and I can't help but think that you're watching over me helping me along my journey. You were in my stall telling me to play my heart out everyday on the ice. Thank you so much for adding so much joy to my life, and reminding me to always smile even in some of the worst situations, you meant the world to me and so many others Dougie. Missing you and praying for you and your family everyday my friend 💕 #DJU21

Kelsey Aiello: Rest in sweetest peace and happy birthday to such a beautiful soul. I keep thinking this is just one big mistake. You never once failed to put a smile on anyones face and had the ability to brighten up anyones day. I love you dougie. You will be forever missed♡

Jimmy Kelley: This past Sunday I found out the horrific news that my pal was dead. My pal who I met just about 5 years ago as he was wrapping up his high school career and preparing for graduation. Unfortunately for me I arrived in his life as he was about to break free from the nest and head to prep school and then onto college while staying on campus at each. But on his breaks from school or when he came home for the summer he would always carve out some time for "mum's boyfriend" and grab a bite to eat with me or watch a game. The last couple of days I've been going through and scanning 100's & 100's of his pictures ranging from birth till probably a month ago or so and what a wonderful, loving life this boy had. In each picture you could see, the love his parents, sister, grandparents, aunts/uncles/cousins, friends had for him and you could see how much he loved everyone just as much. As I wrote earlier I mentioned it was unfortunate for me the time I arrived in his life which is purely selfish on my part as I just wish I had the opportunity to watch him grow into the terrific man he became. I thought I had years and years left with him to spend time, grab a bite and watch a game with my pal up until the day he had to come to my wake to say goodbye, not the other way around. I'll love and miss my pal Doug Usseglio always, but one thing's for sure I will never forget him and I'm sure no one else he ever had a bond with will either.

Kevin McGowan: McGowan, formerly an FPU press box favorite due in part to his musical taste, currently enters from the bullpen to strains of "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money. He chose the song to honor former men's ice hockey player Doug Usseglio, who was a freshman during McGowan's final season in a Raven uniform, and who passed away in March of 2016. "After he passed away last year, they had a ceremony for him at FPU," where they played the song, said McGowan. "So, I decided to use that to show some love to Dougie."

Kenady Kelly: Reminiscing on the night you signed a straw and asked me to hold it for the night because you made a bet with someone that you wouldn't lose it. I kept it for months, and wish I still had it. Missing you a lot 👼🏼💛💙

Jen Tully: So blessed to have had someone like you in my life. I know when we meet again well go on another ride reciting every line of ice cream paint job over and over again. Take good care of us babe and please help Sean get his car back

Courtney Kelly: I'm still wondering what I did to deserve having you as a friend. I must have done something right in my years to be blessed with that. Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about you. Thanks for never giving up on me and being there no matter what. I know you still are and always will be. I love you Doug. Missing you my friend. 💛

Arianna DeJulio: 6 months..doesn't feel real. Probably never will. I miss you. I miss how you could easily bring out that fun, carefree side of me. You were the go to for everything and anything. I miss you everyday and always will. I, we would do anything to have you back. Keep watching over us ❤️ not a day goes by without thinking of you.

Ryan Conery: As each day passes by it gets harder and harder and it just doesn't seem real to me that your gone. I'm going to miss hanging out with you all the time and being woken up at 4 in the morning from your phone calls hearing your laugh and telling me how much you miss me. I was going through all our Facebook messages and they all remind me of how much you meant to me and all the fun times we had. Lately I have been praying to God trying to find the answers but I know you are in his hands now in good care. I know your watching over me now and I will continue to make you proud. Love you older brother ❤️ Doug Usseglio

Dave St Cyr: I vividly remember taking this picture in the days of Gary's basement. I don't know why but this picture was such a hit. Yesterday was the toughest day of my life as it was for everyone. I never thought I'd have broken down in tears saying goodbye. We can only now share the good memories as Dougie is in a better place now.