Alfred A. Doane

HUBBARDSTON – Alfred A. Doane, Sr., 87, of Main Street in Hubbardston, died, Saturday, April 9, 2005, in the LaChance Center in Gardner following a brief illness. He was the loving husband of the late Ruth I. (Shaffer) Doane to whom he been married to for almost 50 years, until her death in 1991.

Mr. Doane is survived by three sons, Alfred A. Doane, Jr., William C. Doane, and Leonard J. Doane, all of Hubbardston; a sister, Sylvia Doane-LaVigne of Holden; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Born in Nova Scotia, he was the son of the late Clayton D. and Rachel B. (Roberts) Doane. He had been a Hubbardston resident for over 50 years.

Mr. Doane served with the U.S. Navy from 1937 to 1941 on the U.S.S. Philadelphia. When World War II began, Mr. Doane reinlisted in the Navy, serving until 1945 aboard the U.S.S. Gwin and attaining the rank of Fireman 1st Class. During his service in the Pacific he was involved in both the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

After the war, Mr. Doane had worked at the Rutland Heights V.A. Hospital as a Fireman 1st Class, retiring after 18 years. He then held various jobs throughout the area in the steam-engineering field. He had also been a member of the Hubbardston Volunteer Fire Department for over 14 years. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and target shooting. He was also a long-term member of the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts.

The funeral service for Mr. Doane will be held on Wednesday, April 13, at 12 Noon at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery, Worcester Road (Rte. 68), Hubbardston. Calling hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Wednesday, April 13, in the funeral home prior to the service.

Website: www.milesfuneralhome.com