Doucette, Thomas Joseph "Tom" – Age 68, Middle Musquodoboit. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Tom Doucette after his battle with cancer. Tom passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, June 9, 2017. Tom was raised in the North End of Halifax by his grandmother, "Nanny" Forbes, who taught him invaluable life lessons.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Lorna; sons, Andy (Deanna) and Steve (Heidi); brothers, Gary (Colleen) and Eric (Marian); granddaughters, Avery, Claire and Scarlett. He was predeceased by his daughter, Nicole and his brother, David.
In 1971, Tom married his soulmate and they moved from Halifax to Middle Musquodoboit where he began his 33-year teaching career at Musquodoboit Rural High School. During his career as an English educator, "Mr. D." never had to raise his voice and received the respect of his students and his colleagues.
Tom spent his life as a multi-sport coach, spending his winters in the gym and summers on the ball diamond. He coached high school and college basketball, winning multiple provincial championships, and was the ACAA and CCAA Coach of the Year in 1998. He coached fastpitch for decades, coaching Junior, Intermediate and Senior Men’s teams around the province, then began coaching the Nova Scotia Canada Games Men’s Team in 1989, 1993 and 1997. Tom also coached the Nova Scotia Canada Games Women’s Team in 2001. In this same year, he began working with the Junior Men’s National team in different capacities, retiring due to illness in 2016 as the Head Coach. Tom was a Master Course Conductor, certifying and mentoring coaches across the nation, as well as travelling internationally to assist countries in strengthening their technical programs. Tom was inducted into the Softball Nova Scotia Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 2011, and received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Away from sport, Tom volunteered his time with the Musquodoboit Valley Lion’s Club and worked many functions for Holy Cross Catholic Church. Tom was a wonderful family man and loved his role as "Grampie" to his granddaughters and loved opening his home to host family and friends, and established traditions that everyone cherished.
The family would like to thank Kim Newton NP, Dr. Chaisson and the wonderful nursing staff of Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, and funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, both in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Middle Musquodoboit. Burial will be in Pioneer Cemetery, Middle Musquodoboit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the the IWK Health Centre Foundation, Musquodoboit Valley Health Foundation – Hospital or Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Arrangements are under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, Upper Musquodoboit.
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