Shutesbury, MA – We are sad to announce the death of David Rogers Ulen, long time resident of Shutesbury, Massachusetts. David passed peacefully in his sleep on the morning of April 26th, 2026 after several months of serious illness.
He was 68 years old.
David was born Framingham, Massachusetts on April 28, 1957. He was the youngest of four children born to Fred and Nancy Ulen of Southborough, Mass.
David is survived by his three older siblings, Anne Benson, Deborah Holloway and Hank Starr, as well as two nieces, a nephew, a grand-niece and a grand-nephew. David and his siblings grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts where Fred taught English and was assistant headmaster at St. Mark’s School, and where David attended high school and was captain of the varsity hockey team. The family spent summer school-vacations in an old farmhouse on Pratt Road, in Alstead, New Hampshire.
David is remembered by his siblings as a good natured, reserved and handsome boy who liked hanging out with his friends, playing hockey and doing his own thing. So much so that, when he was a teenager, he opted for staying in Southborough to work so that he could be with his friends, rather than going to NH with his parents.
After graduating from high school, David attended UMass Amherst for about two years until he once again decided he’d rather be on his own – this time in the Amherst area that he had become so fond of. He started a small service-oriented business and settled in. He and his first wife bought a small farm house in Shutesbury and here David was “home”. In his spare time he continued his love of hockey, playing with a local club for many years. When his first marriage ended, David stayed in the Shutesbury house and soon after met the star of the second half of his romantic life, Marilyn Turner. They were happily partnered for many years, gardening, bird watching–happily sharing their lives until her too-early passing in 2013. David felt her loss deeply, though he kept in close contact with her children, Michelle and Rick. Also, during this time, David worked for Grace Episcopal Church along with the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst’s church as sexton and maintenance guy. Once a week, he faithfully volunteered for the UU-organized Wednesday Community Breakfast – a group and cause that he truly loved and believed in. Another source of joy and companionship was his deep friendship with local professor, Danny Krause. Unfortunately, Danny passed in 2019.
Poor health made David’s last year on this sweet earth a struggle for him. His family and friends are deeply grateful to the Fisher Hospice House for their kind and loving care. Their gentle presence and wisdom certainly and noticeably eased David’s pain along with the loneliness felt by those who are so ill. The family also wishes to thank Kevyn from Grace Episcopal Church for her help and kindness, and for being a loving presence during David’s final few days.
A memorial for David will be held at a later date.
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