Joseph James Doucette
December 5, 1929 ~ January 30, 2012
SCARBOROUGH - Joseph James Doucette, a devoted father, husband, golf enthusiast, retired actuarial executive from Allstate Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois died on January 30, 2012 from a brief battle with cancer at the age of 82. Joe was blessed to be surrounded by his seven children and loving wife at the time of his passing. Joe was born on December 5, 1929 in Allston, Massachusetts to Helen and Joseph Doucette. Joe and his three siblings were raised as devout Catholics. Joe graduated from St. Mary's of Waltham, Boston College and Boston Teachers College. He loved athletics. Joe played basketball, semi-pro baseball and won the Massachusetts candlepin bowling title. A highlight for Joe was playing basketball against the Harlem Globetrotters. Joe attended Officer Training School and entered the Navy as Ensign and became a Lieutenant JG. After being discharged from the Navy, he taught for two years in Rhode Island School of Design and attended Brown University for graduate work. Joe married Mary Louise Lillis on June 12, 1954. He and the love of his life, Lou, started their family together. As the children grew in number he left teaching and entered the insurance field at John Hancock in Boston. Joe completed the eleven actuarial exams to become a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries. He continued his career at New England Life in Boston and then moved his family to Scarborough, Maine to start the pensions department at Unum. Joe was the biggest fan for his seven children. He never missed a sporting event, even if that meant going back to work late at night. During retirement, he loved golfing at Portland Country Club, in Falmouth, Maine and Quail Creek Country Club in Naples, Florida. He played in the Maine Seniors and Southern Maine Seniors each year where he won many tournaments. He recorded three holes in one in his lifetime. Joseph Doucette is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Lou; brothers, Donald and his wife, Lenore; Gerald and his wife, Mary Lou; his sister, Mary Lou and her husband, Paul Duseau; seven loving children: Bernadette and her husband, Dennis Gratto, of Portland, ME; Mary Lou and her husband, Steve Twomey, of Londonderry, NH; Joseph Doucette of Franklin, MA; Sheila and her husband, Gary Polkow, of Colorado Springs, CO; Stephen and his wife, Crissy Doucette, of Boxborough, MA; Therese and her husband, Tim Stepanek, of Hudson, OH; Paula and her husband, Mike Orie of Pittsburg, PA; 19 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 2, at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon. Friday, February 3, at Saint Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd., Scarborough, Maine. In lieu of flowers, Mass offerings are requested in Joe's memory.Online condolences may be expressed below.
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Mr. Doucette, you were the greatest father-in-law I could have ever dreamed of. I will always love you like you were my own dad. You taught me so much by way of your example. Honesty, integrity, fairness, responsibility, God, country, FAMILY, charity, hard work, discipline, friendship and the importance of taking time to have a little fun. You were a rare gem. I miss you terribly. Love, Crissy
– Christine Doucette
Lou and family: Sorry not to be able to attend the service for Joe. We are out of town today heading to Caribou to visit a friend in hospital. So appreciated Joe. It was great being neighbors for fifteen years at Whistler Landing. Sending love and prayers your way in this time of sadness. Grace and peace, Dick Hamilton
– Richard M. Hamilton
Dear Tim, Therese, and family…our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sudden loss. We are praying for all of you.
– Michael Teutsch Family
Dear Doucette family please accept our condolences in the passing of Joe. It was a pleasure and honor to know him as a neighbor, golfing partner and friend. So many enjoyable memories on and off the golf course. We are very saddened by his passing and will miss his great spirit and joyful personna. Go Bless Joe – One of a Kind.
– Sam Haddad
Joe was one of the most influential men in my life. His leadership at both Unionmutual and Allstate had a positive impact on all who worked for him. I am saddened by his loss, but take comfort in being one of the privledged who got to consider him a friend.
– Ed Griffiths
Joe, was a GREAT member of our Friday golf group at PCC. He often scored better than his much younger playing partners. His joy for our group and passion for the game will be sorely missed. A great guy. My prayers are with you, Lou, and your family at his passing.
– julian coles
Dear Lou and Family – I am so saddened to hear of Joe’s death. I remember with joy our happy times together in Chicago. Travelling together gave Dave and me such wonderful memories. Joe was truly a mighty soul. I pray with you, Lou, for peace in this sad time.
– Marlene Waltman
Dear Lou….Our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
– Mary Jane and Cecil Beaupre
My thoughts are with your family at this diificult time. Deeply regret your loss.
– Kevin Murphy
We will miss Joe in the Maine seniors and at PCC he was a great guy sincerely
– Cedric Porter
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
– Paul and Katie Clark
I just returned home from the funeral and I’m sure everyone there was extremely proud of the entire Doucette family…..Well Done Joe, Keep hitting em long and straight.
– Art Lamb
I had the pleasure of working with Joe back in the Unionmutual days. He was always smiling, even when times were tough. He never had a harsh word for anyone. He may have worn a suit, but he was never a suit in attitude. I left Unionmutual before he did, but I have always remembered him fondly.
– William Richards
Lou: Thinking of you at this difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts, prayers and heart. I was so saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. We were all very fond of him and he will always be remembered in our thoughts and in our prayers. Phyllis
– Phyllis Russo
Dear Lou and Wonderful Family, Our hearts ache for you, and for all of us who knew and loved Joe. He was the very, very best boss and friend. He cared so much for all of us and our families. His positive attitude and great laugh brought joy wherever he was. He shall be sorely missed. Please know that we love you and are thinking of you during this difficult time.
– Jerry and Margi Slavonia
Its difficult to put into words when someone is so saddened, but love in your family was and is great and we will pray for all of the Doucette cousins to gain stregnth in this time of need.
– Paul Duseau Jr
Auntie Lou – Praying for strength, peace, and comfort for you and your family. We are sorry for your loss. Love, Bernadette and Anthony
– Bernadette (O’Brien) Falletta
I will sure miss him. I had lunch with him just a couple of weeks ago. It is hard to believe he is gone. I have been praying for him ever since I knew of his illness. My prayers are now for the family.
– Jay Sharp
My heart is saddened by the sudden loss of my godfather, Uncle Joe. May the family find comfort in knowing that he will live forever in heaven.
– Maureen Doucette Nix
Dear Sheila and family. I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May your heart be filled with loving memories to get you through this difficult time. Peace to you all.
– Brenda Buttarazzi
Tim, Therese, and family. We are so sorry to hear of your sudden loss. Your friends are lifting all of you up in prayer.
– The Baumhoer Family
Another good friend has left me behind even though it has been a very long time since we have seen each other. Joe had an enormous impact on me and my family as we were part of a wonderful TEAM in the Design, Funding Marketing, and Administration of all forms or Tax Qualified Group Pension Programs. I could write a book about the tremendous Impact Joe had on hundreds of lives who were the end result of his Tremendous Leadership in providing meaningful Lifetime Guaranteed Income to people all over the Country with no fear of ever being left broke as so many face today. Joe was also a tremendous fighter for what was RIGHT and always for the little guy who just needed a break and the unique guarantee available only through the Actuarial Funding of the Guaranteed Annuity. The world will miss you Joe. You were one of a kind.But I know you’re a believer so I also know our mutual friend Ed Marion will have his hand out waiting for you. God Bless you. Will Annuity
– Will Payson
Words are hard to find, but there is comfort in knowing he will always be with us in our hearts and memories. All our love the Fountains and Murphys
– Cathleen A (Doucette) Fountain
IT WAS A SAD DAY AT QUAIL CREEK WHEN WE WALKED IN AND HEARD THE NEWS ABOUT JOE’S PASSING. EVERY ONE WAS IN SHOCK,BECAUSE HE WAS PLAYING GOLF WITH ALL HIS FRIENDS JUST TWO WEEKS AGO. TO SAY THAT JOE WAS ONE OF THE MOST LIKED AND RESPECTED MEMBERS OF OUR CLUB, WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. A TRUE GENTLEMEN IN EVERY WAY. I CAN’T EXPRESS IN WORDS HOW MUCH HE WILL BE MISSED.
– PAUL K. KEIGAN
Dear Mary Lou family, We are so sorry about Joe and will miss him. We had so many good times together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Love, Al Marilyn
– Al & Marilyn Basl
So sad to hear of Joe’s death-my heart goes out to you and your family.He was a good,kind and loving man and will be greatly missed by so many.
– sally johnson
May you find comfort in God’s love for you and hope in the promise that to believe, is to live forever. You will be missed Uncle Joe. Love to all The Regans
– Margaret A (Doucette) Regan