Donald E. "Ducky" Thatcher, 74, of Dartmouth and Boston, died February 25, 2004 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a long illness. He was the husband of Audrey J. (Brisson) Thatcher with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage on February 24, 2004.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Edward N. and Annette E. (Martin) Thatcher, he lived in Dartmouth for most of his life until recently residing on Beacon Hill.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was employed by the United States Government at the Newport Naval Base as a mechanical engineer until his retirement.
Mr. Thatcher was a stand out athlete at Dartmouth High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. He has been inducted into the Dartmouth High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Thatcher was also a graduate of New Bedford Textile School, now known as University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he played basketball and baseball. He also played semi-pro football for the New Bedford Murphy Club.
Mr. Thatcher was very active in the Dartmouth Youth Athletic Association where he coached football, basketball and baseball for many years and was proud to be a founder of the Dartmouth Pony Football League.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Tyson J. Thatcher, and his wife Jodie, of Dartmouth; a brother, Robert L. Thatcher of Westport; and 2 grandsons, Tyson John Thatcher, II. and and Garret John Thatcher.
He was the father of the late Blaine Michael Thatcher and the brother of the late Richard E. Thatcher, Russell N. Thatcher and Nathan D. Thatcher.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Service in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Monday, March 1st at 11 AM.
Visiting hours Sunday, February 29th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Interment Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.