Donald Edward Fulcher, age 96, passed away on Monday, July 9th, 2024, at his home in Dennisport, Massachusetts. He was born on July 12th, 1927, at the Knowles Birthing home in Eastham, Massachusetts to now deceased Howard and Dorothy (Mcleod) Fulcher. Growing up in Orleans he enjoyed fishing Nauset marsh and beach for striped bass as well as hunting on the Cape and later in Maine.
After graduating from Orleans High in 1945, he enlisted in the Navy for 4 years. After discharge he was involved in the fisheries, clamming, eeling and catching horseshoe crabs and toad fish for the Woods Hole Marine Biology Lab.
In the 50s & 60s he bought and refurbished home and house lots. He worked on commercial draggers from Rock Harbor. In 1951 he bought his deceased father’s dragger “The Katherine” and worked it until his appointment in 1957 as a State Coastal Warden on the offshore patrol boats for the Director of Law Enforcement and Director of Marine Fisheries until the Marine Fisheries acquired their own vessel. While in the State service he also held a U.S. Fish and Wildlife deputy game warden position. He also made trips with the U.S. Coast Guard flying over the Atlantic closed fishing areas.
In 1990 he retired as Lieutenant after 33 years of state service. Still on the water he fished for lobsters with his son Jim for 22 more years quitting at the young age of 84.
He was a member of the Massachusetts Archaeological Society for 60 years and a member of the Orleans American Legion for 50 years. He enjoyed spending a couple of months during the winter in the Englewood, Florida area picking up sharks teeth at the beaches.
Donald is survived by his loving wife Susan (Joyce) Fulcher. Loving father of Deborah Fulcher and the late James Fulcher. Beloved Stepfather to Richard King and Stephen King (Michelle King). Cherished grandfather to Sydney, Richard, Summer, Christopher, Sawyer, William and Emmett – who affectionately called him “Papa Don”. Don is also survived by his sister Joan Christopher, Barbara McGinnis (deceased), and 7 beloved nieces and nephews – Brett, Julie (deceased), Jana, Jill, Treg, Kelly and Howard (deceased).
We would like to thank all the wonderful hospice care staff – especially Karen, Janice and Ann for all their help.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donation in Donald’s name may be made to the Hyannis VA Clinic or the VNA of Cape Cod – Hyannis.
Visitation for Donald will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653. Following the visitation will be a graveside service from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Orleans Cemetery, Tonset Road, Orleans, MA 02653.
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