Obituary of Richard Joseph Doucet

Richard passed away peacefully in Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow on December 23, 2017 after a brief period of illness, surrounded by his loving family.  Richard was born in Cheticamp and spent his formative years in Margaree Forks then Antigonish, before moving to Halifax-Dartmouth to study at Nova Scotia Institute of Technology (NSIT) and pursue his career as an electronics technician.  It was there, in the same apartment building, that he met a young teacher named Betty Hird, who would become his lifelong companion and mother of his four children.  Richard worked first as a technician aboard the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Labrador, but left that calling when he found it too difficult to be away from his young family.  He then moved to Pictou County where he had a 30-year career at Eastern Tel & Tel and MTT/Aliant.  Richard was happiest listening to jazz, drumming, puttering in his garage or workshop, pausing for a cup of tea with Betty in their gazebo, striking up a conversation with a friend or stranger, and exploring Atlantic outposts with Betty by his side and camper in tow.  He was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren, and would visit with toolbox in hand when they needed something fixed or installed, or last-minute childcare.  No matter where he was – his home, their homes, or a campsite – he would make a hot breakfast for everyone.  He was a volunteer weather observer for Environment Canada for over 30 years, dutifully taking “the readings” twice a day from his property in Lyon’s Brook.  He was a frequent blood donor, surpassing 60 donations.  Richard was a deacon and member of the worship team at First Baptist Church, New Glasgow.  He enjoyed studying theology and sharing his knowledge and faith with others.  In 2015, he received his lay pastor designation through Atlantic Baptist Convention.  Richard is predeceased by his parents, Marie and Joseph Doucet; brothers-in-law, Budd Sanford and Ken Hird; sister-in-law, Kay Hird.  He is survived by Betty, his wife of 46 years; daughter, Richarda (Richard Foot), Halifax; daughter, Christine (Jamie Parsons), Dartmouth; daughter, Angela (Brent Parr), Halifax; son, Tim (Queenie Ng), Vancouver; eight precious grandchildren; brother, Roger Doucet (Mona Aaltonen), Simcoe, Ontario; sister, Bernice Doucet-Pearce (Ray Pearce), Hatchet Lake; brother, Alfred Doucet (Joan MacKinnon), Halifax; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Alice and Malcolm Ogilvie, Burlington, Kings County; Flora and Ed Thurston, Sandford, Yarmouth County; Norma and John Sturk, North Alton, Kings County; Nancy Sanford, North Alton; and many nieces and nephews all very special to him.  Visitation will be held at McLaren’s Funeral Home, Pictou, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on January 1, 2018.  Funeral service to be held at First Baptist Church, New Glasgow, at 11 a.m. on January 2, 2018, Rev. John Dunnett officiating, reception to follow.  Interment of cremated remains to occur at a later date in Berwick Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations to First Baptist Church, New Glasgow; the Pictou County Fuel Fund; or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada are appreciated.