Paul John Doucette, 73, of Fairhaven, passed away on Wednesday December 28, 2022, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle against pancreatic cancer.
Born in New Bedford, Paul grew up in East Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School and Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) with a Bachelor's degree in Textile Technology. He married Sandra, his high school sweetheart, in 1968, after promising to do so the first time he saw her in the seventh grade. He proudly served in the Army, then settled in North and South Carolina for many years to raise his family. He spent 50 years working around the world in the textile industry as a plant/general manager and consultant, from Massachusetts to the Carolinas, Georgia to California, the United Kingdom to Germany. In his retirement, Paul enjoyed researching and writing about local history pertaining to the fishing industry and maritime topics, publishing his first book, Neptune's Nor'easter, in 2018. He also volunteered at the Fishing Heritage Center in New Bedford, giving tours of the exhibits and walking tours of the waterfront.
Paul was a life-long learner and voracious reader. He had an unending curiosity about the world which made him a great conversationalist and story-teller. A sports enthusiast in general, he was a die-hard Red Sox and Celtics fan. In his younger years, he coached many boys’ and girls’ youth basketball teams to impressive records. He enjoyed a good-natured rivalry with many friends around the country who were not fortunate enough to be Boston sports fans, and could tell many stories about striking up friendships around the world simply by people spotting his trusty Red Sox cap. Golf and sailing became passions in his later years, and as with all things, he researched and practiced both with clinical precision. A dog lover, Paul had a soft spot for rescues, sneaking his last two dogs home without permission from his wife. He was happiest in the company of his family, on the golf course, and smelling the salt air. He will be remembered for his remarkable intelligence, sharp wit and humor, kind heart, sound advice, and of course, his stories.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra (Morris) Doucette; his daughters, Dr. Heather Larkin and husband Peter Larkin of Dartmouth, and Dr. Danielle Levoshko and husband Patrick Levoshko of Wrentham; his grandsons Myles Larkin, Mason Larkin, and Alexander Levoshko; his brother, Albert Doucette of Mattapoisett; his sisters Carole Pendergast and Elizabeth Zelski, both of Fairhaven; many nieces and nephews; and Bella, his devoted Golden Retriever.
He was predeceased by his parents, Captain Louis Doucette, Jr. and Irene (Zygiel) Doucette; and his daughter, Nicole M. Doucette.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday January 9th at 10 AM at St. Joseph’s Church, Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday January 8th from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul's memory may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Pancreatic and Biliary Tumor Center. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.