Douglas Hawley Died 2 Weeks Ago In Berkshire County; His Friends Want To Keep His Spirit Alive

If there is a silver lining that could have come on Tuesday morning, July 30, in Berkshire County, it is that Douglas Hawley never heard the train that him. The 40-year-old father of a teenage son and young daughter and an adult stepson had always struggled with his hearing, and a witness who saw the train strike said he never looked up before the crash.

"It was a pretty awful day," Douglas' older brother Daniel said in an interview with Daily Voice. "It's one of the worst days of my life."

• Related: Police ID Man Hit By Train; Second Fatal North Adams Train Strike

Douglas Hawley was killed just before 11:30 a.m. after being hit by the train in North Adams, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said. Investigators said he was struck between the American Legion and the Brien Center, both on American Legion Drive in North Adams.

Douglas was a father of three. His son Alex is 13. His 8-year-old daughter named Lotus. His stepson Cyrus was 18.

"And his animals," Daniel said. "I used to always tease him that he was living in a zoo. ...

"But his kids, they were his whole world," Daniel said. "He would wake up, take care of his kids, go to work, and think about when he could see his kids again. He was a really great guy.

It's one of the reasons Daniel created a GoFundMe to help pay for Douglas' funeral and also raise money for his children. They are currently being cared for by family members.

The campaign raised nearly $2,200 of its $10,000 goal. Daniel said he paid $5,000 for most of the funeral out of his own pocket.

"It was important to all of us to make sure he had a funeral he deserved," Daniel said. "But I have four kids of my own. I want to do right by Douglas I want to make sure he can rest knowing his kids are cared for. I just can't do that alone.

Daniel said he's going to leave up the verified fundraiser. He hopes they can raise enough money for Douglas' child.

"He was a good man," he said. "I hope we can live up to what he's set."