Webster: Douglas W. Ballou, 55, of Sunny Ave., passed away on Tuesday, April 21st, in UMass Memorial Medical Center, Memorial Campus, Worcester.

He leaves his loving wife, Meredith J. (LePore) Ballou; his daughter Courtney S. Pajak and her husband Gabriel K. Pajak of Woodstock; his daughter Dakota T. Ballou and her fiancé William A. Fishbeck of Dudley; his son Brandon T. Ballou of Webster; his brother, Scott W. Ballou; his two grandchildren, Olivia R. Pajak and Henry R. Pajak; his sister in-law Kristen A. (LePore) Perkins and her husband Roland L. Perkins; his brother in-law Mark D. LePore; his sister in-law Noelle M. (LePore) Yeomelakis and her husband Michael A. Yeomelakis; his sister in-law Jennifer L. (LePore) Earle, and his brother in-law Ralph J. LePore Jr.; as well as his nieces, nephews, cousins, life-long friends Neil A. Chauvin and Kenneth L. King, and close friends Kimberlee S. and Lon M. Miyahira, and Kevin M. McCurley. He was predeceased by his two grandsons, Theodore G. Pajak and James D. Pajak.  He also leaves behind his beloved dogs Ally and Bosco, as well as his cats Tucker and Mr. Meowgi.

Douglas was born in Webster, the son of the late Gary D. Ballou and Dianne E. (Gaudere) Ballou. He spent his early life assisting his grandparents with running their farm in Douglas, near Wallum Lake, and enjoyed the outdoors. Doug worked as a Foreman at Briscon Electric Manufacturing in Auburn for many years. He was also an exotic animal breeder, with a strong focus in the study of animal genetics. He was a long-time guitar player, enjoyed classic rock, was an avid gamer, and an accomplished painter.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.  There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Pyrenees Rescue, online at www.nationalpyr.org .

The Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, is directing arrangements.