Dr. Edward Izard Doucette

Dr. Edward Izard Doucette, age 81, resident of York, Pa., passed away after a brief illness on Friday, December 31, 2010. Edward, a retired businessman and GOP activist was born in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1929, son of the late Aimé Henri and Edith Izard Doucette. Ed joined the Merchant Marines at age 17 and later enlisted in the Navy, where he taught electronics and advanced mathematics. He received his BS and MS degrees from Texas A & I in 1953 and his PhD. in Physics from Penn State University in 1955. He started his career at Bell Labs in N.J. doing research in its Semiconductor Devices Development Department. There he invented the type of transistor used in all modern computers. For this, he was granted his first of several patents over his career. He worked at Ronson Corporation as Director of Research and Development; and later established "e. i. doucette associates, inc," a research and development firm for commercial, industrial and military clients. Ed earned a private pilot license, and traveled throughout the USA. He held presidential positions for several other companies across the country before settling in York where in 1975 he founded Doucette Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of heat exchangers for air conditioning and refrigeration applications. After retiring in 1995, Ed spent his leisure time traveling the world, and became involved in the local community and politics. In the early 80's Ed was elected President of the Dutch Club and was instrumental in the Valencia Ballroom renovation, one of York's most prominent landmarks. In the 90's, he founded the Greater York Republican Club to help elect city candidates. He was also a member of the Republican Club of York County and worked on local city and county elections. Ed was elected to State Committee and served as Committeeman in the 5th Ward in the City of York for many years. In 2002 with his brother Forrest he acquired the "Doucette House" and donated it to the Edinboro Area Historical Society as their permanent headquarters and museum. He was a former member of the Lafayette and Elks Clubs in York. Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Aimé and Edith Doucette; his eldest brother, Forrest Henry Doucette on May 18, 2010; first wife, Anne Maureen Ritter of Corpus Christi, Texas in 2004; second wife, Suzanne Martinec of State College, Pa., mother of his two surviving sons, in 1997; third wife, Patricia Ann Blanton in 1979 and their son, Edward Izard Doucette II in 1971. Edward I. Doucette is survived by his two sons, Marque H. Doucette of Johnstown, Pa., Philippe Doucette of York, Pa., two granddaughters, Carly Doucette and Dominique Doucette of York, Pa.; two brothers Ronald F. (Sandy) Doucette of Port Murray, N.J., and Robert L. (Julia) Doucette of Millville, Pa.; three sisters, Aimeé E. (Richard) Rodak of Edinboro, Pa. and Lakeland, Fla., Eleonora L. Turnage of Sandia, Texas and Edith G. (William) Raun of Edinboro, Pa. and many nephews and nieces. A tribute of his life will be held at the family reunion the week of July 12, 2011 in Edinboro, Pa. Memorials can be made as contributions to the Edinboro Area Historical Society's Garden Fund for the Doucette House, 126 Water Street, Box 18, Edinboro, PA, 16412 or Aimé H. Doucette Memorial Scholarship, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Alumni House, 210 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444, tel. 814-732-2992. Arrangements by the John W. Keffer Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc. 902 Mt. Rose Ave. York.