George Henry Doucette

First Sergeant George "Deuce" Doucette Jr., of The Villages passed away at the age of 68, on March 2, 2018 in the company of his loved ones and has begun his life anew on the Mansion Worlds of Heaven. After growing up in Wakefield,Massachusetts, George chose to become a Marine. He spent two years in Vietnam fighting alongside some of the most courageous men in the world. During the TET offensive of 1968, fifty years ago last month, he and about 150 other Marines launched what was to be one of the most difficult battles the Marines have ever fought, the Battle of Hue City. Golf Company 2/5 Marines, led the effort to relieve American soldiers pinned down at the MAC V, costing them tremendous casualties on the first assault alone. For 34 days they fought on, along with hundreds of other brave men. "Spider" Doucette and his comrades-in-arms are true heroes. After returning home he met and married Mary Jane Morello and together they had two beautiful children, Melissa and George III. Deuce felt so blessed to have been able to have them nearby and part of his life here. Eventually he returned to the Service, this time in the Army where he quickly made rank due to his extensive experience as a Marine. While stationed at Ft Carson between overseas tours he fell in love with Ronalee Ann (Gutting) Newby and on March 2, 1984,they were married in Malden,Massachusetts. Next were duty stations back at Ft Carson, Erlangen West Germany, Ft Polk, Ft Bliss (where he attended the US Sergeants Major Academy) and Ft Knox, from which he retired at the rank of First Sergeant. With help from the VA he was able to complete his BA in History (minor in business) at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, in 1996. After graduating he occasionally served as a guest lecturer at the college on the topic of the Vietnam War. Usually the lecture hall would be 'standing room only' for his upbeat class with sound effects and laughter and fear. The Department of Corrections in Canon City,Colorado was his next stop - he would say "I'm going to jail!" when he left for work. After eight years in this second career Sergeant Deuce (or Mighty Mouse to some!) retired a second time. He and Ron chose The Villages because everyone was just so friendly. And they were proved right a thousand times. You can't talk about Deuce without mentioning his other two loves: the Boston Celtics and the Art of Bowling. The Celtics season schedule was his calendar, he hated to miss a single game on TV and he found ways to go to at least one game every year (thanks Santa!) But the bowling! Just as frustrating as golf but boy did he love the big balls! League night was his favorite part of every week and all his bowling friends were like family in many ways. Perfection came for him twice with 300 games and he strived to attain it with every ball he threw. The bowling community, in every alley and every town, has been like a second home to him for half his life. First Sergeant Doucette is survived by his devoted wife, Ronalee Ann; loving and beloved children, Melissa and George III, both of The Villages; his sister, Patricia Orlando and husband, James of Billerica, Massachusetts, brother, Kevin and wife, Mary of The Villages, brother, Mark and wife, Donna of Everett, Washington, and many cherished nephews and nieces across America. He is predeceased by his parents, George Sr. and Barbara Jean Doucette, and his dearly missed sisters and brother, Kathy Doucette, Karen Doucette, Keith Doucette and Pamela Gleason.Celebration of Life and Interment A Celebration of Life will be held at Eisenhower Recreational Center, 3560 Buena Vista Boulevard, The Villages, on Saturday March 10, 2018 from 2:00 until 5:00 pm. A ceremony with Honor Guard will be held at his interment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at a date to be determined.

George Henry Doucette

April 23, 1949 - March 2, 2018