...Army career Veteran, formerly of Billerica; 78
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - Earl M. Doak, age 78, a former Billerica resident, died Monday, July 11 at the Treasure Coast Hospice House in Ft. Pierce, following a battle with cancer and yearlong illness. He was the beloved husband of Catherine M. "Kay" (Sullivan) Doak, with whom he celebrated a 56th wedding anniversary on June 19th.
He was born in Caribou, Maine, December 24, 1932, a son of the late Thomas E. and Pearl (Wark) Doak. He was raised in Caribou, and upon graduation from high school, enlisted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Army for twenty years, during the Korean and Vietnam War eras. He served overseas tours in Germany with the occupation forces and later in Okinawa, Japan. He received numerous medals including Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Korea Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal & Bronze Star, Several Sharp Shooter Rifleman's Badges, Vietnam Service Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (Quadruple), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/Device, Two Overseas Bars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and Six Good Conduct Medal & Clasp Silver 1 Loop.
Upon honorable discharge from the Army, he began a second career as a water treatment technician as a civilian employee of Fort Deven's in Massachusetts, and retired after twenty five years.
He settled in Billerica in 1969 to raise his family, and after thirty years, in 1999, retired to Port St. Lucie on Florida's "Treasure Coast."
Throughout his life he was an avid fisherman and loved his blueberry pie.
Besides his wife, he is survived by six children, Deborah Ann Ouellette and her husband Patrick of Ivoryton, CT, Laura Ann Hunt and her husband Stephen of North Billerica, Earl J. Doak, of North Billerica, Stephen D. Doak and wife, Carole Anne Razzino of Billerica, Brian T. Doak and his partner Kathy Christenson of Tewksbury, and Richard J. Doak of Billerica; eleven grandchildren, Taryn, Thomas, Stephen, Ryan, Mathew, Heather, Katie, Brian, Rebecca, Jacquelyn, and Taylor; two great grandchildren, Hailey and Jason; a sister, Gwendolyn McBreaity and her husband Ronald of Willow Street, PA; a brother, Thomas E. Doak Jr. of Old Saybrook, CT; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also brother of the late Donald Doak and grandfather of the late Daniel Hunt.
His funeral was held Thursday, July 21, in the funeral home, followed by burial with Military Honors at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Attn: Memorials, Memphis TN 38105.