Douglas D. Lazarus

Douglas D. Lazarus 

August 27, 1954- March 3, 2026 

Douglas David Lazarus, 71, of Watertown, MA, died on March 3, 2026, after a diagnosis of ALS last April. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 27, 1954, to Richard and Katherine (Brown) Lazarus. His family were adventurous travelers, and Douglas made journeys throughout the world to meet new friends and embrace the beauty of the planet. 

Douglas attended John Dewey High School in Brooklyn. He attended and graduated from Brooklyn College of CUNY, where he majored in biology and chemistry. He attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he studied biochemistry and got a PhD in nutrition. After graduation, Douglas worked as a researcher for several drug development companies in the Boston area. He harbored a lifelong pursuit of the mechanism behind cachexia (wasting syndrome). His work formed the basis for a patent application now in a pre-clinical trial. 

Douglas met his beloved wife, Natt (Natapat Lazarus), in 2003 while he was accompanying his mother during a trip to Thailand. After four years of courtship, Natt and Douglas married on January 5, 2007. Natt’s daughter, Mint (Pluksaa Chueayoonan), joined them in Watertown in 2008. 

As well as being a passionate world wanderer and accomplished scientist, Douglas loved to help people to get a better job, and he helped and guided them with all the techniques he knew. He also helped people and animals by donating money if he could. He was an avid cyclist who taught countless neighbors and friends how to repair and care for their own bicycles. He and Natt cultivated gorgeous gardens that are filled with blooms and beauty from earliest spring until the snow flies. Douglas, Natt, and Mint, along with their much-loved dogs, Max and Charlie, walked miles along the Charles River almost every day. Douglas always took along an extra bag to pick up trash and collected hundreds of pounds of litter over the years. He cared deeply about this beautiful world, and felt every small good thing makes a difference.

Douglas loved all kinds of animals, but his favorite animals were snakes. He knew all kinds of snakes from all over the world, but he would never touch a snake unless he knew if it was poisonous or not! Douglas loved chocolate chip cookies and Thai tea. He didn’t like sushi or tomatoes or ‘healthy food!’ We loved his cheerful call of, “Howdy neighbor!” Douglas was a funny, generous, loving husband, father, and friend who will be deeply missed. 

Douglas was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Maya, and his brother, Richard Daniel, and is survived by Natt, Mint, his sister, Donna, and nieces Diana and Aurora, and nephew Diallo. 

A gathering in celebration of Douglas’ life will be held at his, Natt, and Mint’s home on Sunday, July 12, from 3-5 pm. Please contact Natt at maxcharlie3669@gmail.com for details. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation to a humanitarian or animal welfare cause of your choice made in his memory would be a beautiful tribute.

The Family has entrusted the care of Douglas to the Flynn Family and the Staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers.