Gary Donald Doucette

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Donald Doucette of Dartmouth (October 27th, 1944 -December 4th, 2023). Born in Halifax, Gary is survived by his wife Colleen, two children Karen (Frank) and Craig, brother Eric (Marian), beloved grandson Lucas, nieces and nephews Andy, Steve, Daniel, Rachel, Cora, Natalie, Brenna, Peter and Greg, sisters-in-law Joan and Lorna and brother-in-law Les. Gary was predeceased by his mother Veronica, grandparents John and Mary (Nan) Forbes, brothers Tom and David, uncle Donald, niece Nicole and sister-in-law Gloria.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 13th at J.A. Snow Funeral Home (Lacewood Dr., Halifax) from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 14th at 10:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Church (Halifax) with Father Nathanael DesRoches F.O.H. officiating. A private family service will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

At the age of thirteen, Gary and his three brothers lost their mother Veronica. Gary felt a deep sense of responsibility to help raise his younger brothers and this permeated through the rest of his life. Upon his graduation from Saint Mary’s University (Commerce) in 1965, Gary joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) where he began his career in Materials Management.

While serving his first posting at Windsor Park (Halifax) he met the love of his life, Colleen in 1967. Having been posted to Headquarters (Ottawa) to be part of the amalgamation of procurement for the armed forces, Gary and Colleen were engaged over Christmas of 1967 prior to his departure. Gary and Colleen were married July 6, 1968 and their first child, Karen was born in November, 1970.

Gary’s commitment to family responsibilities led him to resign his commission in 1971 and return home to Nova Scotia where he was appointed Assistant Director of Purchasing for the city of Halifax. Gary and Colleen’s second child, Craig was born in February, 1977.

Gary continued to pursue his career as he took a position with the Nova Scotia Health Authority in the leadup to the hospital amalgamation that resulted in the formation of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. The final position of his career was with the Nova Scotia Hospital where he was Director of Materials Management and oversaw the amalgamation of pharmaceutical purchasing for the Health Authority as the first director of that program.

In spite of his slight stature, Gary loved to play football. He played tight end from high school through the end of his military service. While playing for the RCAF team, he was able to travel to Germany to play in international competitions. He was a lifelong New England Patriots fan through the team’s roughest years and their more recent success.

Gary and Colleen had a cottage built in Queen’s county Nova Scotia in 1977. He deeply loved the peace and tranquility to be found in weekends spent at the cottage.

In their retirement, Gary and Colleen loved to travel. For eleven years in a row, the arrival of Spring meant it was time to explore a new part of the old world. Together they saw most of continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and Ireland twice for it’s special place in Colleen’s heart and family history.

One of the great joys of Gary and Colleen’s lives was the arrival of their grandchild Lucas in February of 2011.

Gary and Colleen have been very active members of the St. Patrick’s faith community with whom they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2018 and their 55th in July, 2023. They have treasured their faith, friendships, and the cultural history of the church and community. Colleen will continue to support and find support in the embrace of the St. Patrick’s congregation.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Patrick’s Conference, 2263 Brunswick St., Halifax NS, B3K 2Y9.