Edward Doucette’s grandfather came to Port au Port from Cheticamp, NS, while his grandmother was from Verdun in France. Ed was an avid fiddle player like generations of his family before him. He began playing the fiddle as a child, learning from his father, John, and Uncle Victor. He served in England during WW2, where he met and married Irene. They lived in England for 17 years, then returned to Newfoundland to settle in Stephenville.

Collector’s Note: I visited Ed at home one day in 1978. He knew many tunes and was well informed as to their likely origins. When I asked for old local tunes, he played Romaine’s Reel, Uncle Victor’s, John Morrison’s, The Cape Reel, and King George the IV. Some quotes from Ed, such as “I learned that one when I was ten years old,” “I used to hear the old fellas play that,” and “That’s as old as the hills,” indicated that much of what he played had been around for several generations. He was a skilled and enthusiastic player, and he made fiddles as well. Ed must have been impressed with me, as he gave me one when I was leaving. He also played St Anne’s Reel, Caper Fey, Heather on the Hill, Big John McNeil, McDonald’s Reel.