1931 – 2015

AUBURN — Reginald A Doucette, 84, went to be with his creator Satruday, March 28, in Auburn following a long illness.

Born in Lewiston on Feb. 6, 1931, Regie was the eldest son of Reginald and Evelyn (Bernard) Doucette. He graduated from St. Dominic’s High School in 1948 and obtained an associate’s degree from Assumption College in Worcester, Mass. He joined the Army in 1951 and trained to be a paratrooper, having 99 jumps. He proudly served his country in the Korean War with an honorable discharge in 1954.

In 1957, he married Jeannine Tardif, his wife of 57 years, in the Holy Family Parish, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. Together, they raised three children in Lewiston.

In the early 1960s, Regie joined the Lewiston Fire Department, where he served in various capacities, including chief, retiring in 1991. Regie was a honored member of the Maine Firefighters Association during his time with the fire department.

Regie was an avid reader and the quality of his vast literature included his favorite subject, The Civil War.

Regie had a passion for the ocean, sailing and cruising the coast of Maine with Jeannine, his first mate, and their son, Marc, who was a source of exciting adventure. He was an accomplished carpenter, resulting in several works of art.

Following his retirement, they relocated to Florida’s west coast, enjoying several years of this sunny lifestyle. A drastic change occurred after a flood in paradise resulted in a decision to relocate to the Great Smoky Mountains, where they lived until returning to Maine due to his declining health.

In addition to his loving wife, Jeannine, Regie is survived by a daughter, Linda Nicole of Colorado; a son, Marc of Auburn; four grandchildren, Jamie, Adrianna, Sarah and Sadie; three great-grandchildren, Troy, Levi and Emma; a brother, Paul Andy and his wife, Huguette, of Quebec City; two sisters, Suzanne Plante and her husband, Bill, of Colorado, and Madeleine Ayvazian of California; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he is predeceased by a son, Michael; and a sister, Jacqueline Shapiro.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation and love to our “family” at Odd Fellows Home, the staff, residents and their relatives, as well as Dr. Kurt Oswald, Dr. Raymond Tardif, nurse Terry and Bob for his inspirational comfort every Sunday.

You are invited to express condolences and pay tribute to Regie’s life by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.