Obituary: Dr. Dougald C. MacGillivray, 88, Former Essex County Medical Examiner

Dougald C. MacGillivray, M.D. was a well-respected surgeon and a long-time resident of Danvers.  He was born in Brighton on Sept. 7, 1923 and died at surrounded by his family on Aug. 5, 2012. Dr. MacGillivray was a devoted father of a large family and a man of great Catholic faith.

Dr. MacGillivray was predeceased by his parents Dougald and Mary (Fahey) MacGillivray of Brighton. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Dorothy (Morrissey) MacGillivray and his 12 children: Mary and her husband Gerald McGillicuddy, M.D. of Worcester, Dougald MacGillivray, M.D. and his wife Jennifer of Falmouth, ME, Johanna MacGillivray, MSW, LICSW of Danvers, Anne MacGillivray of New York, N.Y., Joseph MacGillivray and his wife Karen of Peach Tree City, Ga., Karen MacGillivray Brown of Newburyport, Thomas MacGillivray, M.D. and his wife Leslie Lucchina, M.D. of Boston, John MacGillivray, M.D. and his wife Elizabeth of Greenwich, Conn., Susan Bower, R.N. and her husband James Bower, M.D. of Rochester, Minn., James MacGillivray of Danvers, Dorothy and her husband Mark Roosevelt of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Elizabeth MacGillivray of Charlestown and his 20 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Dr. MacGillivray grew up in Oak Square in Brighton and was a graduate of Boston College High School class of 1940. He trained as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps serving as an aircraft commander of a B-17 and B-29 during World War II. He continued his service in the United States Air Force Reserve. After the war, he graduated from Boston College in 1947 and then from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1951. Dr. MacGillivray completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Boston City Hospital. He went on to complete a residency in surgery at the in Jamaica Plain.

Dr. MacGillivray was very active in the North Shore medical community. He served as the chief of surgery and the chief of staff at the Hunt Memorial Hospital in Danvers. He was the associate chief of surgery and the director of trauma at North Shore Medical Center in Salem. He had been the chief of staff at J.B. Thomas Hospital in Peabody. Dr. MacGillivray was recognized by Gov. Michael Dukakis for developing and organizing the trauma programs on the North Shore. Dr. MacGillivray had been appointed as the medical examiner of Essex County by Gov. Endicott Peabody. He was the previous president of the Essex South Medical Society, a member of the Essex Surgical Society, and the Boston Surgical Society. Dr. MacGillivray was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and he was a senior clinical instructor of surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Dr. MacGillivray was very supportive of the local schools and religious orders. He was a member of the board of trustees of in Danvers.  Dr. and Mrs. MacGillivray were recognized by in Danvers for “96 years of Catholic Education.”  He was very active in where he was a lector and Eucharistic minister.  He was devoted to the Carmelite nuns and the Sisters of Notre Dame. He was a previous president of the St. Luke’s Guild.

Dr. MacGillivray was an accomplished athlete. He was on the U.S. Army Air Corps track team and he ran the 100-yard dash in 10.0 seconds. He was an avid tennis player who also enjoyed running, hiking and outdoor activities. Most of all, Dr. MacGillivray was happiest being with Dorothy, his loving and devoted wife, and being surrounded by his family.

Funeral arrangements are by , 22 Conant St., Danvers.

Visiting hours will be on Friday, Aug. 10 from 4-8 p.m. at St. Mary’s of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. A funeral mass will be on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Annunciation Church with a burial to follow at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.

Contributions may be made in Dr. MacGillivray’s memory to St. Mary’s of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St. Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, 15 Mount Carmel Road, Danvers, MA 01923.