Douglas Walton Truran, age 76, of East Wareham, died at Tobey Hospital on January 24 after a long decline due to Parkinson's disease. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Donna 
(Barr) Truran, his constant caregiver for many years.

He also leaves two sons, Mark D. Truran of 
East Wareham and his wife Marybeth Truran, and Eric 1. Truran of Randolph, VT, and his wife 
Diana Salyer.

Douglas was born in Boston but lived most of his life in East Wareham. He was a 
graduate of Wareham High School, class of 1953, and received a degree in business from Burdett 
College. In 1962, he received a B. A. in Church Music from Boston University, where he went 
on tour with the B.U. Glee Club. After a short time working at Dunn & Bradstreet in Boston, he 
taught vocal music in the schools of Barre, MA, subsequently teaching vocal music in the 
Plymouth-Carver school system and at Apponequet Regional High School.

In 1972, he became proprietor of Grey Oaks Gift Shop in East Wareham, taking it over 
from his parents, the late Walton and Christine Truran. Dozens of local people were a faithful 
part of the Grey Oaks "family," and many area young people had their first work experiences 
there. He retired in 1999, when the shop closed to make way for the CVS.

Douglas and Donna also ran the Blueberry Patch, a pick-your-own farm in East Wareham 
for more than 55 years. He was a past president ofthe Massachusetts Cultivated Blueberry 
Growers Association.

During his career, Douglas was the director of music at many churches in southeastern 
Massachusetts. As a teenager, he started directing the choir at the East Wareham Methodist 
Church, which was located on Chapel Lane. Later, he directed choirs at the Church of the Good 
Shepherd and the Church in the Pines in Wareham. He also traveled to direct choirs at churches 
in Franklin, Plymouth, Brockton, and Pembroke. He was a member of the American Guild of 
Organists and served on the board of director of its local chapter for several years.

In 1970, he was the music director for Plymouth's 350th celebration. In addition, he 
helped found the Plymouth Choral Society and sang as a baritone in the New Bedford Choral 
Society and the Sippican Choral Society.

Douglas had an interest in history and genealogy. He traced his family back many 
generations -- including several lines to the Mayflower -- researching records in the eastern United 
States and Canada, as well as in Cornwall, England. He was a member of the Wareham Historical 
Society and the Agawam Antique Car Club.

A memorial service will be held on February 18 at 2 p.m. at the First 
Congregational Church, 11 Gibbs Ave., Wareham.

Much good care was provided to Douglas by Old Colony Elder Services. Donations in his 
memory may be made to them at P. O. Box 4469, Brockton, MA 02303.