Douglas Slabinski, a man who believed in having a plan, working hard, loving his family, and never missing an opportunity to make someone laugh, passed away leaving behind a lifetime of memories, accomplishments, and stories that will be told for years to come.

Doug was a one-of-a-kind person who could be counted on for just about anything—except perhaps agreeing with you. He loved to argue any side of any topic, whether it was actually his opinion or not, and he was determined to win. He was known for his endless jokes, the more inappropriate the better, and for pushing everyone's buttons just to see what kind of reaction he could get. He gave people nicknames, sometimes because they were funny and sometimes because he simply couldn't remember their actual names.

But beneath his humor and competitive spirit was a man who cared deeply for the people in his life. Doug took care of everyone he loved. He was one of the hardest workers you could ever meet and a mentor and leader to countless people, particularly throughout his 37-year career with TE Connectivity, where he ultimately retired as Global Director of Sales. His career was filled with too many sales awards to count, most recently the TE Connectivity Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 and the Distinguished Career Award in 2021. More important than any award was the sense of accomplishment and pride he felt in coaching, promoting, and advancing the careers of "his people" and seeing the positive changes in their lives, both in and outside of work.

Doug was a natural coach and mentor. When his children, Jacob and Melanie, were young, he coached their sports teams and encouraged them every step of the way. As they grew older, he happily traded his coach's role for that of their biggest fan, cheering them on at every game. He brought that same enthusiasm to being a grandfather and took great pride in his family.

He loved sports and seemed to know every fact and statistic imaginable from any sport. He enjoyed attending sporting events, especially football and hockey, collecting sports memorabilia, and, of course, playing golf. Doug was a talented golfer who won numerous tournaments, including the remarkable achievement of winning back-to-back championships at the 69th and 70th Annual Union Printcraft International Golf Association Tournament. He also enjoyed his weekly tee time with Bill and, more recently, Tim, as well as the many rounds of golf he played over the years with new and old friends in Arizona, Michigan, and everywhere in between.

Doug loved an adventure. He enjoyed traveling, especially cruises, scuba diving, and boating. It didn't matter whether the boat was on a lake, river, or ocean—he wasn't picky. If there was water and a boat, Doug was probably happy.

He was also a man who took pride in the details. His grass was going to be perfect. His car was going to be clean. He didn't want anyone paying for his dinner because he never wanted to owe anyone money—Venmo and Zelle were a godsend. He planned everything, worked hard, and always looked out for the people around him.

After retiring from TE Connectivity, Doug discovered that there were only so many days a week a person could golf. He continued to stay busy with retirement jobs at PRIDE Security, Instawork, CSC, and Safe Management. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Above all, Doug was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His greatest legacy will not be found in the awards he received or the accomplishments listed on his resume, but in the people he loved, the people he mentored, the careers he helped advance, and the countless lives he made better simply by being part of them.

He will be remembered for his hard work, his loyalty, his sense of humor, his competitive spirit, his love of sports, his perfectly maintained lawn, his clean car, and his ability to turn almost any conversation into an argument he was determined to win. Most of all, he will be remembered as someone who showed up for the people he loved and always made sure they knew they mattered.

Doug leaves behind a life that was full in every sense of the word. Full of family, friendships, hard work, adventures, golf tournaments, sporting events, boat rides, cruises, laughter, and more than a few arguments. He was a man who loved deeply, worked tirelessly, and never hesitated to show up for the people who mattered most.

His greatest legacy will be found in the family he cherished, the people he mentored, the lives he influenced, and the countless memories he created along the way. He taught those around him the value of hard work, loyalty, perseverance, and, perhaps most importantly, the importance of enjoying the ride.

For those who knew Doug, there will always be something that brings him back to mind: a sports statistic, a perfectly manicured lawn, a clean car, a golf course, a boat on the water, a familiar nickname, a piece of advice or guidance, or a joke that probably shouldn't be repeated.

There will be stories about him, too. Stories of his accomplishments, his adventures, his generosity, his stubbornness, his humor, and all the times he managed to turn an ordinary conversation into a full-blown debate. Those stories will be told with laughter, sometimes with a shake of the head, and always with love.

Doug lived a life that mattered. He made a difference in the lives of the people around him, and his presence will be deeply missed. But the love he gave, the lessons he taught, and the memories he created will remain with his family and friends for generations to come.

And if Doug were here to have the last word, he would probably remind us that he was right all along.

And, knowing Doug, he'd probably have a pretty good argument to prove it.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Patty Slabinski; his loving children, Jacob (Sara) Slabinski and Melanie (Sean) McCaul; his beloved grandchildren, Colton, William, Noelle, and Liam; his siblings, Bob (Susan) Slabinski and Teri (Mike) Donaldson; his faithful dog, Penny; and many loving brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Virginia Slabinski.

A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, August 9, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with a memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow the service at John Cowley & Sons Irish Pub, located directly across the street.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Dogs4Vets , to further honor Doug.

Please keep Doug and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.