Douglas Felix Van Esselstyn

Douglas Felix Van Esselstyn, beloved husband of Joann Van Esselstyn of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away on May 14th, 2025. Doug grew up in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, and graduated from Montclair High School and Union College in Union, New Jersey.

After retiring from James River Corporation where he worked as a sales and marketing executive, he started a second career as “Doug Van the Fix-It Man” and thoroughly enjoyed this new opportunity to use his extraordinary problem-solving skills and creative talents. He was an avid fisherman, and he and Joann enjoyed many happy hours aboard their boat, the Sundowner, on Long Island Sound.

Doug was a loyal member of First Church Congregational of Fairfield and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, building and refurbishing homes in Bridgeport, CT. He was actively involved in the Pequot Library volunteer committee and was always up for a chance to sort through donated books to identify the treasures.

Doug was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Joann; his parents Florence Towns and Richard Herkimer Van Esselstyn, two brothers Sherman Towns and Richard H. Van Esselstyn and his sister, Mari-Louise Peterkin. He is survived by his daughter Gretchen Van Esselstyn and her husband, Kevin Whelan; son David Van Esselstyn and his wife Jennifer Ball, and two grandchildren, Margo Lee Van Esselstyn and Hazel Towns Van Esselstyn, all of Brooklyn.

Memorial contributions may be made to Operation Hope of Fairfield, CT, an organization that focuses on eliminating hunger and homelessness. A wake will be held at Spear-Miller Funeral Home , 39 South Benson Rd on Friday May 23 from 4-6PM. A Memorial service will take place at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, Connecticut, on Saturday, May 24 at 10am. A reception at the church will follow.