Cmsgt Jacinto Douglas Gavilanez Usaf

CMSgt Jacinto Douglas "Doug" Gavilanez USAF, 57, of North Attleboro, MA passed away on Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston following a courageous health battle. He was the beloved husband of Lori S. (Buckley) Gavilanez to whom he was married on March 2, 1990.

Born in Ecuador on September 7, 1967, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 7 and settled in New Jersey and ultimately, he and his family settled in the City of Attleboro where he was raised and educated. He was a 1986 graduate of Attleboro High School and received his degree in construction management from the Community College of the US Air Force.

CMSgt Gavilanez served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 143d Force Support Squadron, Rhode Island Air National Guard, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. As the SEL, CMSgt Gavilanez oversaw the operations of the Military Personnel and Services Flights comprising of 45 members. Providing critical personnel actions, lodging and subsistence support to the wing Chief Gavilanez enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1986. He attended technical training school for Traffic Management Specialist in February 1987.

He was then assigned to the 2nd Transportation Squadron at Barksdale AFB, La. in April 1987. After release from active duty in December 1990 he entered the civilian sector. He later enlisted in the Massachusetts Air National Guard in December 2005. He was assigned to the 212 Engineer Installation Squadron in Milford, MA, as a Heavy Equipment Operator. After re-alignment of the mission for the 212 EIS Chief Gavilanez transferred to the 143d Civil Engineer Squadron at Quonset State Airport, R.I. in March 2006. He attended technical training school for heavy equipment operator in June 2007 at FT. Leonard Wood, Mo. Chief Gavilanez deployed with the 143d Civil Engineer Squadron in April 2008, to Tikrit, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In his time in Iraq, he forward deployed to multiple locations in support of the Army Engineers providing heavy equipment operations support at all locations.

In January 2011, he deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as Force Protection Specialist. There he served as the shift leader for 12 airmen that monitored Third Country Nationals in the Base Defense Operations Center. He later deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in November 2012. He was assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron as the supervisor of the airfield grounds maintenance team. He led a team of 10 airmen that were responsible for the repair and maintenance of the airfield to include snow removal and grass cutting.

In July 2014, Chief Gavilanez was assigned as the full time Active Guard Reserve Operations Manager for the 143d Civil Engineer Squadron. He was responsible for the daily preventative maintenance of all the wing facilities. In January 2017, Chief Gavilanez became the wing Facility Manager for the 143 AW assuming the responsibilities for all facilities at Quonset and North Smithfield GSU. He was also assigned as the squadron superintendent at that time, where he became responsible in ensuring that the Airmen maintain home station readiness, are trained, qualified and ready to deploy and operate in an expeditionary environment. In March of 2017, Chief Gavilanez served in the role of co-director of the annual Air Show and Open House. As the new SEL for the 143d FSS in March of 2020 Chief Gavilanez was instrumental with the deploying and daily tracking of personnel to the state of Rhode Island’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

His career and family were of utmost importance to him. He strived to be a role model for his family and treasured every moment they shared together. One of his favorite pastimes was searching for the best barbecue he could find with family and friends.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his children: Chelsea Gildea and her husband, Alexander Gildea, of North Attleboro, MA and Natasha Fellion and her husband, Jeffrey Fellion, of North Attleboro, MA; his brother: Pierre Gavilanez of New Bedford, MA who was a "chosen son"' his four cherished grandchildren: Everly and Noelle Gildea and Gabriella and Jeffrey Fellion; many colleagues, extended family members and friends.

Family, friends, and colleagues are warmly welcome to attend Visitation with Military Honors on Thursday, February 6, 2025, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.

A Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 1:00 pm in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA.

Burial with Military Honors will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, North Attleboro, MA.

Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in "Doug's" name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com .

Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200