JOHN “JAY” F. DOESCHER, III

NEW LIMERICK – John “Jay” F. Doescher, III, 52, lost his courageous battle with lung cancer on Feb. 2, 2005, with his wife, Laurie and his son, Ryan, by his side. He was born Jan. 23, 1952, at Houlton, the son of J. Frederick and Virginia (Clay) Doescher, II. Jay was a graduate of Houlton High School, Class of 1971, and Northern Maine Technical Institute, Class of 1973. He was employed by Louisiana Pacific of Houlton in the shipping department and by Wal-Mart as a part-time cashier, where he was awarded cashier of the month in June 2002, and holds the store record for most items scanned per hour at 613. He was extremely proud of this record. He also worked at Millar Civic Center in the first three years it was open and delighted in being known as the “Zamboni Man.” It was a joy for children and adults alike to see Jay dressed as Santa clearing the ice on his decorated Zamboni. He was a true hockey fan and loved the game especially when Ryan played. Jay hoped that he could be a role model for others battling cancer, and that they will find inspiration in his determined fight and never failing courage in his three- year battle. Jay will be sadly missed by his wife of 29 years, Lauri (Leighton) Doescher; his beloved son, Ryan Andrew Doescher; his parents, Fred and Ginny; his brother, Brian Doescher; three sisters Anne Doescher, Nancy Bennett and her husband, Steve, Debbie Dubois and her husband, David; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Leighton; brother-in-law, Andy Leighton and his wife, Laurie; his cherished nieces and nephews, Tiffany and Kristin Doescher, Darren and Cody Bennett, Kimberly, Samantha and Jessica Dubois, Sarah and Matthew Leighton; close family friend, Amanda Charest whom he thought of as a daughter, and his canine pal, Maggie May. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Friday, at the Dunn Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday with Richard Carver and Wayne Watson officiating. Interment will be in the New Limerick Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Jay’s memory to Houlton Humane Society or the Progressive Care Unit at Houlton Regional Hospital, care of Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730.