Wayne Alan Doucette died suddenly at his family home on Fishers Island, NY on Sunday, June 4, 2017.
Born in 1964 to Alice Cote Doucette and Maurice Norman Doucette Sr., Wayne moved to Fishers Island with his family in 1968 from Old Town, ME. While attending Fishers Island School, he and his friends explored the island and particularly looked forward to playing hide and seek and riding their bikes in the old Fort Wright gun bunkers and underground mazes. Wayne was a member of the Viking’s varsity basketball team, played softball, was the drummer in the School band, and served on the yearbook staff and student council in high school.
After graduation from Fishers Island School in 1983, Wayne worked on Island for A. John Gada General Contracting and Gada Service Station. He worked briefly for the Town of Southold on Fishers, before beginning his 25-year career at the Fishers Island Utility Company. There he was a jack-of-all-trades, a problem solver, who would pitch in wherever needed. He made important contributions to the water, electric and phone companies during his tenure and retired as Telephone Manager.
Wayne had an infectious enthusiasm for his job at the Fishers Island Waste Management District. He joined the District as Plant and Personnel Manager in February 2014. His life-long love of machines served him well and he trained his colleagues that they had to be maintained on a daily basis to perform well. He read constantly and educated himself concerning current and future waste management practices. He was the visionary behind combining the stations to meet state requirements and be more efficient. He increased composting to reduce the amount of garbage sent off island, and produced several products that can be used on the island including mulch and dirt, and now crushed glass.
His dedication to service was exemplary as witnessed through his volunteer commitment to the Fishers Island Fire Department. He joined as a young firefighter in 1985. An active member, obtaining Life Member status in 2005, Wayne served six terms as Fire Chief between 1997 and 2015, (1997 1998, 1999, 2007, 2014, and 2015), and most recently as a member of the Fire Department’s Executive Board.
As an alumnus, and a past and present parent, Wayne’s continual interest and behind the scenes contributions to Fishers Island School were immeasurable. Wayne was a humble public servant who sought to contribute to the community without recognition. He shared his deep knowledge of the island’s infrastructure as a volunteer member of the Fishers Island School Technology Committee, cleared school property of brush and invasive species and championed student involvement in Beach and Island Clean-up initiatives. Wayne Doucette demonstrated his love of his island community through his selfless service.
Fondly known as a ‘back yard mechanic’ and Mr. Fix-it, Wayne will be remembered for his optimism, good heartedness, devotion to family and friends, constant willingness to help others, his love of his Golden Retrievers and his island.
Loving husband to Jamie Rowe Doucette and devoted father to Jeremy Doucette (Melissa), Amber Ferguson, and Lydia Doucette, he also leaves grandson Grant Doucette; siblings Maurice Norman Doucette, Jr. and Cheryl Doucette Scroxton (Edward) of Fishers Island, and Andrew Doucette (Kris) of Wolcott, CT; first wife Debra Silva, countless nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and will be buried beside them on Fishers Island.
A fireman’s graveside service will take place on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at 2:00 pm at the Union Chapel cemetery on Fishers Island, NY. All are welcome at the reception to follow at the American Legion Post 1045. A scheduled Fishers Island Ferry will depart New London at 12:30 pm and return trips will depart Fishers Island at 3:30 and 4:45 pm. For more information please visit fiferry.com. Transportation will be provided on Island.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wayne’s memory and in support of his family at https://www.gofundme.com/wayne-doucette-famiy-fund, and to the Fishers Island Fire Department or to the Fishers Island Fire Department’s Sea Stretcher ambulance boat online or at PO Box 123, Fishers Island, NY 06390.
