76.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesDouglas Edward Sell Dies at 63

Douglas Edward Sell Dies at 63

Douglas Edward Sell Douglas Edward Sell passed away in his peaceful home on St. Thomas in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23. He was 63.
He was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Oct. 29, 1951, to Robert and Della (nee Burkhardt) Sell. He was the youngest son and the third of their four children.
Descended from immigrant German farmers on both sides of his family, Doug came by his love of the land, trees, plants, open space, lake vistas, hunting and fishing honestly. Being self-sufficient and handy with tools was passed on by family.
Doug grew up in Ann Arbor and its surroundings, participating in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s rock scene as a bassist and maintaining a lifelong love for the music and artists of his youth.
He began his college career at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, transferring to the School of Natural Resources of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He earned his Bachelor of Science in 1977 and then enrolled in the Rackham School of Graduate Studies at Michigan, earning his Master of Landscape Architecture in 1980.
He met his future wife, Katina, while she was enrolled in the same program. She was attracted to his common sense and practical, Midwestern approach to life. After graduation he moved to Rockford, Ill., working for the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District as a landscape architect and planner. He relocated to St. Thomas in 1982, working first at the V.I. Planning Office.
Katina and Doug were married in March 1984 and soon established their landscape architecture practice. Doug worked on a variety of projects, many of which involved highway beautification and his commitment to native plants. Most recently he consulted with the Magens Bay Authority to craft policy guidelines for responsible development and use of St. Thomas’s public natural treasures.
His quiet, practical approach to his work also influenced his service to civic organizations, including the St. Thomas Swimming Association. His father-in-law, the late Capt. Costas Coulianos, encouraged him to join the Rotary organization, and then almost immediately sent him out with a group of Rotarians to start the Rotary Club of Charlotte Amalie. After that he became one of the charter members of the Rotary East Club, where he served as secretary when Jack Kappelman was president. The two remained good friends throughout Jack’s life. Later he volunteered for the Hebrew Congregation, putting his hands and head to work in the congregation’s historic cemetery, and through planting trees at various locations, including Smith Bay Park.
Doug was known for his holiday baking and eggs benedict brunches. He was an excellent grill master and kept his knives sharp! He read widely, loved history, and pursued archery and bow hunting. He avidly followed Michigan football, Tigers baseball and Red Wings hockey. His skills in woodworking and cabinetry kept the family’s antique furniture in good repair, and he grew in that craft to produce pieces that sit proudly with the work of master craftsmen. Three months before his passing, he was supervising construction at Shoestring Press in Brooklyn, enjoying the last hammock naps of an Indian summer and making friends with the printmakers whose work he supported there.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Katina Coulianos; sons: Lane Douglas Sell of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Nathan Emanuel Sell of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by his mother, Della Sell; brothers: Daryl (Margaret) Sell and Darwin (Rhonda) Sell; sister Dina (Fred) Waddell; and their respective children and families; aunts: Agnes Burkhardt and Helen Brown; uncle, Roy Brown; and several cousins. His father, Robert, predeceased him.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 29, at the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas on Synagogue Hill. The family will greet friends immediately afterwards at Lilienfeld House.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.