Last week, a member of the Southborough community passed away. I missed the obituary, because Paul Doucette wasn’t a Southborough resident. But the Southborough Historical Society asked me to share their notice honoring the contribution he made to our Town heritage. (My apologies for not seeing the request until today):
Mourning Paul Doucette
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The Southborough Historical Society is tremendously saddened to learn of the death of Paul Doucette earlier this week. Paul was a long time member of the Southborough Historical Society, having served on its Board of Directors for many years. Paul was especially interested in the history of the Burnett Family’s Deerfoot Farm, which at one time was the largest employer in Southborough. He wrote and published a history of both the Burnett family and Deerfoot Farm. In 2004 the society honored Paul by dedicating the Deerfoot Farm exhibit and Burnett family collection located at the Historical Society Museum to him. His vast knowledge of this part of Southborough’s history as well as his keen wit will be sorely missed.
Farewell, Paul.
Here is Doucette’s obituary that was published last week:
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Paul Arthur Doucette, 73, of Mendon died on Monday, January 15, 2018 at his residence after a long illness. He was the husband of Patrice M. (Sannicandro) Doucette for 42 years.
He was the son of the late Arthur J. and Stella M. (Cormier) Doucette, brother of the late Mary Louise Brown and uncle of the late Michael P. Brown. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother, Robert J. Doucette and his wife Ann of Westboro. He was the uncle of Nancy A. Bellavance and her husband Ben of Sandwich, James P. Brown and his wife Wendy of Milford, Timothy J. Brown and his wife Sandra of Natick and Paul P.J. Brown and his wife Tara of Milford.
Paul was born in Waltham on June 13, 1944 and graduated from Waltham High School, Mass Bay Community College and Suffolk University. He was an accountant for several companies including Northeast Airlines, Perini Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation and Barker Steel.
Paul had been treasurer of the Mendon Town Forest Committee and the Mendon Historical Society. He volunteered at the Mendon Senior Center as the book sale coordinator and was also active in their recycling program and assisted in preparing their newsletter for mailing. He was a historian for Preservation Mendon and also wrote articles for Hope1842.com. Paul had a great respect for veterans and assisted in placing flags on their graves for Memorial Day for many years.
Paul was a serious collector of milk bottles and dairy memorabilia and continued to acquire them for his collection throughout his illness. Paul was a long-time member of the Southborough Historical Society and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He wrote and published a history of the Burnett Family and Deerfoot Farm, both of Southborough. In 2004 the society honored Paul by dedicating the Deerfoot Farm exhibit and Burnett family collection to him.
Paul enjoyed bluegrass music and the occasional Manhattan cocktail at the Willowbrook Restaurant. He was beloved by his friends for his keen mind, storytelling ability and his acerbic wit.
Funeral services will be held on Sat. Jan. 20, 2018 at 11 AM in the Mendon Unitarian Chruch, 13 Maple St., Mendon. There will be no public visiting hours.
Burial will be in Quaker Cemetery, Mendon at the convenience of the family
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Pauls memory may be made to the Southborough Historical Society, 25 Common St., Southborough, MA 01772 or to the Mendon Senior Center, 62 Providence St. Mendon, MA 01756.
