Obituary of Jack Doucette
John Allen “Jack” Doucette
March 4, 1944 – February 28, 2026
John Allen “Jack” Doucette passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 28, 2026, in Fort St. John, British Columbia, after a two-week hospital stay. He was 81 years old, just four days shy of his 82nd birthday.
Jack was born on March 4, 1944, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to Joseph Felix Doucet and Helen (Deveau) Doucet. As a boy, Jack loved visiting his grand-mère and grand-père on their farm, a place that shaped many of his happiest childhood memories. Even then, Jack’s curiosity about how things worked was unmistakable. His older sister Odette remembers him taking everything apart to see what was inside, including her dolls.
Jack attended St. Peter’s School and Dartmouth High School, where he would have been the first to admit he was not an enthusiastic student. It was at Halifax Career School that everything changed. There, Jack found his calling in hands-on work, graduating with honours and earning his Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Certificate of Qualification. Jack later added a specialization of a Class B Gas Fitter, and this combination of skills made him an accomplished and sought-after tradesman. He had a methodical and logical approach to his work that earned him great respect in his trade. Jack took tremendous pride in his expertise and brought a strong work ethic to everything he did.
Jack married Sandra Thomas in 1967, and together they brought three children into the world: Denise, Craig, and Robert. While Jack and Sandra later divorced in 1977, they maintained a genuine friendship. Jack remained a dear member of the Thomas family and was close to all of Sandra’s brothers and sisters. Sandra’s brother Lee Thomas (Bernie) held a special place as Jack’s closest friend and partner in crime.
In his younger years, Jack loved riding his motorcycle and snowmobile, camping, fishing and spending time with friends. He was a social man who enjoyed the company of others, and he made many lasting friendships throughout his life, keeping in touch with the people who mattered to him, no matter the distance.
In 1999, Jack moved out west to Fort Nelson, British Columbia, where he continued to work and quickly became a well-known and well-liked member of the community. It was in Fort Nelson that Jack earned the nickname “Happy Jack”, a name that stuck for good reason. He joined the dart league, became a regular at steak night at the Elks on Fridays, and made many dear friends. Jack’s easy-going nature made him someone everyone was glad to know.
In later years, the family was blessed to learn of two additional children Jack had fathered earlier in life, Brian MacKay and Fabienne Clavel, both of whom had been adopted at birth. The discovery brought great joy to the family. Brian had the chance to meet Jack in person in 2023, a quiet and deeply meaningful moment for them both. Though Fabienne was not able to meet Jack in person due to great distances and timing, she was able to connect with him over the phone, meet some members of the family in person and quickly became a cherished part of the family.
In early 2012, Jack’s life took a dramatic turn when a staph infection in his spine nearly took his life. He was hospitalized in Vancouver from February until October 2012, then transferred to Fort St. John Hospital until an apartment became available at Heritage Manor II. He survived, but the infection left him with permanent spinal cord damage and lasting disability. True to form, Jack faced his new reality with the same pragmatic determination he brought to everything. He adapted practically, spoke matter-of-factly about his experiences, sometimes to the point of oversharing and refused to let his circumstances hold him back.
Jack’s lifelong love of fixing things then found new purpose. He became the go-to person for wheelchair, scooter, and all manner of miscellaneous repairs, a role that brought him tremendous satisfaction and a deep sense of purpose. Jack was an active and well liked member of the Fort St. John peer group of Spinal Cord Injury BC, where he met monthly with others to share experiences and offer support. Jack was known for his kindness within the group, often engaging with new members adjusting to life with spinal cord injuries or mobility challenges. He truly enjoyed helping others, and this generous spirit defined his later years.
In his final couple of years, Jack found companionship with Sheila Ricalton. The two brought out the best in each other. Jack took pride in driving Sheila to her appointments, while Sheila brought a touch of warmth and life to Jack’s apartment that reflected what she brought to his world. Jack’s children were happy to see the two of them caring for and doting on one another.
Those who knew Jack would tell you he was stubborn, sometimes impatient, often blunt, and in possession of a decidedly off-colour sense of humour. But he was also tough and tender, plain-spoken and deeply caring, a man of contradictions in the best possible way.
Jack will be fondly remembered by his children as a dad who was always there for his kids.
Family
Jack is survived by his children, Denise (Sonny), Craig (Kathy), and Robert (Ashley); Brian and Fabienne; his grandchildren, Tyler, Lyrica, Joseph, Jordan and Carson (Lindsay); his great-grandchildren, Arwyn, Indigo, Elijah and Bradley; his companion, Sheila Ricalton; his sister, Odette David, and her children Elizabeth and Michael; and his brother, David Doucet (Patty).
Jack was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Felix and Helen Doucet, and by his brother-in-law Les David.
In Lieu of Flowers
In honour of Jack’s commitment to helping others with mobility challenges, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Spinal Cord Injury BC in his memory.
Donations can be made to Spinal Cord Injury BC through their website, Donation Form; or by mailing a donation to Spinal Cord Injury BC 780 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver BC, V6P 5Y7.
