Douglas A. Tonn, 70 of Barrington died peacefully at home on Thursday,
January 11, 2018 after a 10 year struggle with Alzheimer’s. He was the beloved life partner of Jane Hayes Tonn. He was born in Portland OR to the late Alfonso Tonn and Ella Ott Tonn. Douglas attended Portland Public Schools and graduated from Harvard College in 1969. Upon graduation he was commissioned an ensign in the US Navy.
He was first assigned as an engineering officer on the USS Cromwell and then was assigned as an instructor at Newport’s Women’s Officer School (WOS). It was at WOS that Douglas found his vocation - Teacher.
After his discharge from active duty he attended CT State University where he obtained certification and received a MS degree. He spent his entire career, 33 years as a “shop teacher” teaching thousands of students at Keigwin Middle School in Middletown, CT. He loved being a middle school teacher. He often said the abilities of 6th graders were a good cognitive fit with his class where they learned to process materials and create useful objects.
After retiring in 2006 he and Jane moved to Barrington, RI. He spent many happy hours in retirement setting up his home workshop, working on home improvements, producing gifts for family and friends and taking long walks with his beloved dog Maggie Mae. Sadly Alzheimer’s altered many of his retirement plans.
Besides his wife Jane he is survived by his children David and Emily, his cherished daughter-in-law Natalie and grandchild Elona. He is also survived by his brother Dan Tonn of Ohio, sister-in-law Anne Bedlington of DC as well as many west coast cousins and a loving, large extended family of friends.
Donations in his name can be made to Hope Hospice, North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM at the Barrington Congregational Church on County Road in Barrington RI.

Service

461 County Road
Barrington, RI 806
Saturday, January 27, 2018
11:00 AM

 Service Information