Basil M. Douka

WORCESTER-Basil M. Douka of 262 May Street passed away on September 9 surrounded by his family at UMass Memorial Hospital. He was the loving husband of 43 years of Angeliki (Papdopoulou) Douka. Besides his wife, he leaves his daughter Barbara (Douka) Efstathiou, wife of Sotirios Efstathiou of Worcester; his sister Sofi (Douka) Koci of Saranda, Albania; his nephews Thoma and Niko Koci of Saranda, Albania, and Stefan Kochi of Malden, MA; his nieces Paskali (Koci) Hysenbegasi of Saugus, MA and Aleksandra (Taci) Bita of Lushnje, Albania. He also leaves his great nephews Ilir Kochi of Malden, Genti Hysenbegasi of Malden, Dhimiter Koci of Saranda, Albania and Andrew Kochi of Malden; his great nieces Erta Hysenbegasi of Saugus, Polikseni Bita of Lushnje, Albania, Elda Koci of Saranda, Albania, Ilvana Bita of Lushnje, Albania, Lorena Koci of Saranda, Albania and Ermira Bita of Lushnje, Albania. A sister, Eftali (Douka) Taci predeceased him in 1993.

Basil was born on May 8th in Zagoria, Albania to Mihal and Varvara (Carka) Douka. In 1938, he immigrated with his father to Istanbul, Turkey where he lived until 1956 at which time he moved to the United States. He was first employed at Ware Pratt as a fitter foreman, and at various other retail establishments in the Worcester and Boston area. In 1972, he was employed as a military clothing designer by the U.S. Natick Army and Research Lab in Natick, MA, where he remained until his retirement in 1991. While employed at U.S. Natick Army and Research Lab, Basil was instrumental in developing and designing bulletproof vests, parachutes, camouflage and aeronautical gear. He enjoyed a stellar reputation amongst his colleagues and superiors. Due to his expertise, he traveled extensively across the Unites States to train other labs and perform quality inspections. Also, he served as a liaison for various international military dignitary and specialists. In addition, Basil was the proprietor, along with his wife, of the "New York Tailor and Furriers" store in Worcester.

Basil was a very active participant in various community organizations such as A.H.E.P.A, where he served as a secretary; the Albanian newspaper "Liria" where he was a board member; NEARO (New England Albanian Relief Organization), Politon Society and Enosis Epirotic Society. Basil also was a member and served as the President of the Amalgated Seamsters Union. He was a member of St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where he served on the parish council and was affectionately known amongst the church members as the "unofficial official photographer" of the church. This past June, he was recognized by St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Cathedral for his years of volunteerism. His legacy to his church was displayed at the 30th anniversary of the Grecian festival.

Basil was passionate about photography and music. His family and friends remember him with always wearing more than one camera around his neck and offering to make musical tapes.

Due to the communist regime in Albania, Basil was separated from his extended family there for 39 years. Despite the difficult circumstances, he visited Albania on four different occasions and gave his unconditional heartfelt love and support to his sisters, nieces and nephews. His dream of being reunited with his family, was realized when he was able to help some of his family immigrate to the United States after the fall of communism in the early 90s. Basil was immensely happy and proud to see them succeed in life.

People who knew Basil, remember him as a distinguished gentleman, an impeccable dresser and as a kind and loving man always willing to help others. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

A funeral service for Basil will be held on Wednesday, September 13th at 11:00 AM at St. Spyridon's Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, Worcester. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 12th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Callahan & Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester.

The family kindly requests that expressions of sympathy be conveyed in the form of donations to The St. Spyridon Family Center, in memory of Basil M. Douka, 102 Russell Street, Worcester, MA 01609.