Popular public works boss enters retirement after 23 years of service to Town of Osoyoos

Ron Doucette went to work Monday – on his golf game.

After spending more than 23 years as the Director of Operational Services for the Town of Osoyoos and a working career that spanned almost 40 years, Doucette walked out of the town’s public works yard in the Osoyoos Industrial Park for the last time Friday afternoon.

Doucette went out in style as more than 100 friends, co-workers and family members packed into the upper hall at the Osoyoos International Curling Club Saturday night to throw a retirement party for Doucette and his wife Cindy, who have been married for 38 years.

Doucette, one of the nicest and most jovial men you will ever meet, said he leaves his career in Osoyoos with nothing but fond memories.

“I have no regrets,” he said during an interview last Friday, just hours before he officially retired. “I got to work with some incredible people and we accomplished quite a bit during my 23 years on the job.

“We have a great crew of people who work for the town in public works and it was a pleasure to work beside them for all of these years.”

An avid sports fan and athlete, Doucette said he plans on spending a lot of time honing his golf game, playing more oldtimers hockey, getting back into curling and maybe even getting back into slo-pitch – a sport he hasn’t played in a few years.

“I just love sports and I plan on staying busy,” he said. “I plan on playing a lot of golf and will hopefully get out on the ice more than once a week in hockey. I think Cindy and I will get back into curling and I’m even considering playing some ball next spring, even though I haven’t played in quite a few years.

“When I’m not busy with sports, my wife has me signed up for a few more home projects at the house, so I’m not worried about being bored.”

Born and raised in Rouyn-Noranda, Que., Doucette moved to North Bay, Ont. as a teenager to finish his high school studies.

He attended the University of Ottawa for one year to pursue a civil engineering degree, then transferred to Northern College in Kirkland Lake, Ont. to pursue a diploma in civil engineering technology.

“I’m a northern boy and I missed the north,” said Doucette, in explaining why he switched from university to college.

After graduating with his diploma, Doucette landed a job as a labourer with the Town of Manitowadge in northwestern Ontario.

After two years on the job, he was offered the position as superintendent of public works, a job he held for 15 years.

Manitowadge is a mining town and a lot of the mining industry was in a severe downturn in the early 1990s and he and his wife decided it was time to make a move and take on another challenge, said Doucette.

He applied for a job as public works supervisor in Kincardine, Ont. and had tentatively agreed to take the position.

But he had planned a trip out to B.C. to visit family in Aldergrove around the same time and his brother-in-law mentioned a job had opened up in Osoyoos.

“We had been to B.C. many times to visit my brother-in-law and his family and just loved it,” said Doucette. “When I was informed about the Osoyoos job, it really piqued my interest.

“I decided to apply for the job. I got an interview and eventually I got the job. The rest, as they say, is history.”

When his wife accompanied him for his final interview in Osoyoos, they both knew this would become their permanent home, he said.

“We looked at each other and we knew this is where we wanted to be,” he said. “I can still remember driving up after I had accepted the job and getting to the top of Anarchist Mountain and looking down with chills going down my spine.”

Working for a small town that was growing rapidly around the time he got hired has made for an exceptionally rewarding career, said Doucette.

“There was a lot of growth and challenges in those early years and I guess I’m most proud of being part of the team that kept up with all the changes and allowed this town to grow,” he said. “There have been a lot of major (public works) projects that have taken place over these last 23 years and I’m proud to have been part of it.”

When you move to a new town, one of the best ways to meet people and make friends is through sports and he and his wife got actively involved by joining the Osoyoos Golf Club, curling club and joining local ball leagues, he said.

“We have got to meet some wonderful people and we have a lot of great friends,” he said. “We met most of our good friends not long after moving here and they remain great friends 23 years later.”

At work, Doucette said he would like to thank all of the veteran crew he’s led for more than two decades, especially town foreman Mike Thomas.

“Big kudos to Mike Thomas because he’s been my right hand man since I got here,” he said. “I’ve got to work with a great bunch of men and women at this job and I’m really going to miss them more than anything.’

Thomas said Doucette is going to be missed by everyone who works for the town.

“It’s going to be sad to see him go,” said Thomas. “Ron’s a very positive and friendly guy and he’s going to be sorely missed around here.”

Doucette never tried to show he was the boss and was always proud to be part of a team that worked together to get things done, said Thomas.

“We wish him nothing but success in retirement,” he said. “Things won’t be the same without him around.”

Mayor Sue McKortoff praised Doucette for his work ethic and personality.

“He’s kind of like the Energizer Bunny,” she said. “He has a great sense of humour and is always smiling and enjoying himself.”

McKortoff said Doucette was always willing to help organize major events in town like the annual Cherry  Fiesta Canada Day celebrations.

“He was always very organized and helpful,” she said. “We want Ron and Cindy to have a great retirement.”

Jim Dinwoodie, who worked as manager of operations for the City of Nelson, was hired several weeks ago to replace Doucette.

Doucette helped mentor Dinwoodie for several weeks before officially stepping down last week.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times