One of our key volunteers for many years, Ed Doucette, died this past month, in British Columbia.
Douce, as he was commonly called around the hangar, played a leading role in the restoration of the B-25. He had joined the RCAF as a teenager and had literally travelled the world with the military, rising to the rank of Sergeant and serving as a Flight Engineer on the Hercules. There is nothing he did not know about aircraft and no part he could not fix, often with a “bigger hammer.”
Douce was also popular in the lunchroom, regaling all with stories about his antics at various military bases in Pakistan and the Middle East or growing up in the Maritimes.
In the pictures, he is directing the attachment of the wings on the Mitchell before its debut in 2013. We could not have restored Daisy Mae without his invaluable help.
He will be forever missed by museum staff and volunteers
Edward Lawrence Doucette
It is with great sadness that the family announces the death of Ed “Douce” Doucette. He passed suddenly but peaceful at age 85 on December 1st, 2022, at the Cowichan District Hospital with family at his side.
Douce will be deeply missed and remembered forever by his step-children, Lise, Richard, Raymond, and Lori, and by his grandchildren who loved him deeply. He is also mourned by his siblings; James (Barb), Suzan (Mickey), Brian, Roland, and Roma (Allan).
Our grief is great but it is eased a little knowing that he has been reunited with the love of his life, Olive, his parents, Elizabeth and Lawrence, and his siblings: Gerard and Brendon.
Also left to mourn Douce are his many extended family members and friends who loved and admired him.
Douce was born on April 4, 1937 in North Rustico, Prince Edward Island and was the eldest child of eight. He left home at the age of 16, and following in his father’s footsteps, joined the Canadian Airforce. He served honourably and earned the rank of Sergeant, traveling the world before retiring in 1983 so that he could stay by Olive’s side.
He served in the 440 Rescue Squadron, the 435 as a Flight Engineer on the Hercules, and as a United Nations peacekeeper in the Indo-Pakistani War in 1971.
Following his retirement, he continued to work for the Canadian Airforce as a civilian until 1998, and then continued to serve his community working as much as he could at the Alberta Aviation Museum and later at the BC Forestry Museum.
He was devoted to family and country, and set an example of hard work, courage, and sacrifice.
Thank you for holding the family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
A celebration of his life will be held at a future date at HW Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre
5285 Polkey Road Duncan, B.C.
In lieu of flowers, Douce’s family suggests remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the
Alberta Aviation Museum https://albertaaviationmuseum.com/donate/, or the
BC Forest Discovery Centre <info.bcfdc@shawlink.ca