Deloss "Dee" E. Doucette Sr., 83, of Haverhill, died Wednesday, July 9, at the Merrimack Valley Hospital, Haverhill.
"He was my hero and a great father. He was always there for us kids. He was easy to talk to. always willing to help and was always there for you when you needed him no matter what," daughter Deborah Tardy said.
Mr. Doucette was born in Haverhill on Nov. 3, 1924, and was a son of the late Ernest J. and Lena M. (Livingston) Doucette. He was educated in St. Joseph's school, Haverhill. At age 16, he worked under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's program of the Civilian Conservation Corps which renewed forestry and recreational projects throughout the country.
"He helped build a bath house at the state park on Savoy Mountain," Tardy said.
Mr. Doucette is a Navy veteran of World War II, having served as a deep sea diver before being honorably discharged in 1946 after serving four years.
"He joined the Navy because he loved boating and the ocean. He chose to be a deep sea diver because it was something he was interested in and he was given the opportunity to do it," Tardy said.
Upon returning to Haverhill, he worked as a theatrical stage technician, having traveled throughout this country and overseas touring with groups and companies including the Bolshoi Ballet.
"His father and uncle worked at the old Colonial Theater. After he got married, he joined the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and went to New York to get more work. He started traveling around with the Bolshoi Ballet and started with stage production. He really enjoyed traveling. He used to say 'There isn't a state in the United States I haven't been in at least once,'" Tardy said.
He worked on many television and movie productions, such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Man of La Mancha," "Flowers in the Attic" and more.
Mr. Doucette owned and operated Merrimack Valley Staging Technics since the 1960s where he was able to work with his children and grandchildren.
He was a member and past business agent of the Local IATSE 381, Haverhill.
"He would make arrangements for local boys to go into Boston and work on productions. He basically found work for people. He loved being able to help," Tardy said.
Mr. Doucette enjoyed the ocean, boating, and most of all, his family and friends.
"We used to go fishing on his boat all the time. When he was on the road, we were fortunate enough to be able to go with him during the summers when we were out of school to places like California. We would also go to amusement parks and other places like that. Really, we all just wanted to be together as a family when he was touring," Tardy said.
He was the husband of the late Barbara L. (Bunker) Doucette, who died in February 1978.
His surviving family members include his sons, Deloss E. Doucette Jr. and his wife, Lynne, of Newton Junction, N.H. and Ernest J. Doucette II and his wife, Luella, of Sandown, N.H.; daughters, Judith A. Nolin and her husband, Michael, of Epping, N.H. and Deborah L. Tardy of Haverhill; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter; siblings Teresa J. Clement, William A. Doucette and Joseph F. Doucette; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were by C. Frank Linnehan and Son Haverhill Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave.
