Van Buren –  Our dear and sweet father, Wilfred H. ("Whitey" / "Blanc") Doucette, 85, died peacefully on April 13, 2020, after a brief stay at the boarding care facility in Van Buren.  He was the son of Eddie and Charlotte (Lottie) (Levesque) Doucette (predec.). He was born in Hamlin, Maine, on September 29, 1934 on his mother's birthday.

During his formative years, he along with his ten (10) siblings worked on the farm. They later moved from the farm to Roosevelt Avenue 'in town'. After graduating from high school, he worked construction in Connecticut and Florida.  He then enlisted in the U.S. Army and after his service commitment was honorably discharged.  He returned to Van Buren and in 1961 married his bride, Anne Marie (Ouellette) Doucette (predec. 07.08.2010). He was gainfully employed with the New England Telephone Co. (Verizon) where he retired with over 30 years of employment. While working full-time and raising a family, he attained an A.S. degree in Accounting.  After his retirement from Verizon, along with enjoying nature hikes and cross-country skiing, he also worked for 5 years as a telephone-repair contractor for Frasier Paper Mill (now, Twin Rivers Paper).  He was a proud founding member and served for many years as an officer and board member of the Gateway Federal Credit Union (now, NorState).  As a devout Catholic, he gave countless hours serving his community as a member of the St. Bruno's Church Choir, multiple terms as a VBDSS board member, and member of the V.B. Housing District.  He was a well-respected pillar of the community appreciated for his wisdom, worldly-knowledge and kindness.  Our dad loved to travel and during his Army days had enjoyed many journeys across the U.S. and Mexico.  His greatest trip was the one he and our mom took to Rome, Italy to celebrate their 13 ^th wedding anniversary.  Through mom's brother (Fr. Roland LaJoie) they were blessed to participate in an audience with Pope Paul VI. Dad had a natural affinity for languages and quickly found himself conversing in Italian with the locals as they toured Rome and outlying areas, including a visit with family stationed at the U.S. Air Base in Pordenone. Though for all of his travels, most dear to his heart were his weekly rides up the St. John Valley to St. David to visit with his daughter (Teresa) and her family.  He LOVED his family.  Most important to him, were his roles as a loving and devoted father,  pépère ("Pep" as his grandchildren fondly called him), and husband to his wife of 50 years who he lovingly cared for in her later years.  He doted upon his children and grandchildren with an abundance of love and pride. He and our mom were strong, loving influences.  Our family is blessed with priceless loving memories which we will forever hold in our hearts.  We take comfort from our dad's favorite bible passage of wisdom, ' be not afraid '.

He is survived by his loving family: daughters, Cynthia A. Doucette of Orlando, FL and Teresa S. Madore (hsbd., Mark) of St. David, ME;  grandchildren, Jonathan Madore (Winslow, ME) and Olivia Madore (St. David, ME), as well as two remaining brothers (Richard and Alphy) and two remaining sisters (Lillian and Jeanette); and, many kind-hearted in-laws, dear nieces, nephews and godchildren.

In addition to his wife, Wilfred was predeceased by son, Charles Doucette, an infant daughter, Sharon; his parents, and three brothers and three sisters.

The family of Wilfred Doucette extend great appreciation for the care by our extended family members, his neighbors, friends and town-folks who looked out over him through his later years, as well as his care-givers and staff at Cary Medical; Maine's Veterans Homes; and, V.B. Borderview during the last few months of his long, blessed life .

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, July 2, 2021, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, Main St., Van Buren. Committal service and interment will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities of Maine.