Douglas Hills Borden Jr.

Douglas Hills Borden, Jr., born September 7, 1931, in Fall River, Massachusetts, passed away on August 16, 2026. Doug was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Joan Louise (Goodreau) Borden, by his sister Nancy (Borden) Berry and by his parents, Douglas Hills Borden and Dorthea Taudvin (Borden) Eslick. He is survived by three siblings, Barbara (Craven) Holt of Lake Ridge, VA; Martha (Borden) Lemoi and Bob of Swansea, MA; Matthew and Stephanie Borden of Swansea, MA; Doug and Joan’s four children and their spouses, Douglas and Valerie Borden of Sagamore Beach, MA; Jeremy and Diann Borden of Warrenton, VA; Valerie (Borden) McCarry and Nathan of Moneta, VA; and Lorianne (Borden) Mack and Bruce of Cumming, GA; six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren. Douglas graduated from Joseph Case High School in Swansea, MA in 1949. He attended Brown University for two years and enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February 1951. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in May 1955 and achieved the rank of Ensign, USNR that same year. In January 1960, he was commissioned as LTJG, USN, active duty. Doug married Joan, the love of his life, in 1956. They were married almost 64 years before Joan’s passing in 2020. Doug was stationed both on the east and west coasts of the US during his career, always with Joan, their four children, and family cats. Doug retired as a Commander on February 29, 1980. Known fondly as Bud by his family and friends since childhood in Touisset, MA, his lifelong passion for sailing began with his Grampie Borden at the young age of four. Throughout his youth, Bud participated in many regattas, continuing the family tradition of sailing excellence on the Coles River in MA and in Narragansett Bay in RI. Bud successfully taught his next generation of family to sail, for pleasure and competition, earning numerous awards sailing on the Potomac River. After retiring from the Navy, Doug continued to offer his time and resources supporting organizations whose focus was on preserving histories and improving the lives of others, such as The Fall River Historical Society and the Mount Vernon Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). He was a member of MOAA for 45 years, during which time he was recognized with the Gold Pin Award with the words, “CDR Borden’s patriotism and dedication is the bedrock upon which our Chapter is built.” He served as Chapter President, Member of the Board of Directors, and chair of numerous operating committees, including the Mount Vernon Chapter Scholarship Fund, which was particularly important to him. Doug also represented the MOAA Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC), advocating for veterans’ benefits and other critical issues. He participated in many USO Care Package “Stuffing Parties” during Operation Enduring Freedom. After Doug and Joan relocated to Westminster Lake Ridge, he was able to support other veterans through the Honor Flight Network. He also shared his time between the woodshop and other activities at Westminster. Doug will be remembered with love and respect for the pride with which he served his country, the love he had for his family and friends, the passion he shared for sailing, and as a gentleman who was never at a loss for a kind word or gesture. Visitation, funeral service and internment will be on Monday, August 31, 2026 and are arranged through Miller Funeral Home and Crematory, 3200 Golansky Blvd, Woodbridge VA 22192. Visitation will be from 9:30AM – 11:30AM with funeral service to follow at 11:30AM at Miller Funeral Home. Interment will be at Quantico National Cemetery immediately following the service. The family requests no flowers due to cemetery restrictions. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation payable to Westminster Ingleside Foundation, with memo notation of “WLR Resident Supporting Fund in memory of Douglas H Borden”. Donations may be mailed to Westminster Ingleside Foundation, 702 King Farm Blvd Suite 510, Rockville MD 20850.

Tributes

Douglas Hills Borden Jr.

September 7, 1931 - August 16, 2026