Gerard Ouellette Obituary (1931 - 2018)

LEWISTON - Gerard Noel Ouellette (86) - "Gerry" passed peacefully Sunday morning, July 29, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness. He was born at home in Lisbon, ME, on Christmas Day, December 25, 1931. He was the son of Oscar and Clara (Girard) Ouellette, and was one of six children. He attended St. Dominic High School in Lewiston, and then joined the U.S Air Force. He served three of his four years of enlistment as a French interpreter in Paris, France. He later worked for a number of years as a tin-knocker at Hannel Brothers in Lewiston; he enjoyed working with his hands in the trades. His employment there shifted to part-time when he began working full-time as a postal clerk in the Auburn, Maine Post Office in 1960. For twelve years, he worked two jobs, 12 hours a day, to provide for his family. He possessed a great work ethic and was a man of principle and integrity, and of notable intelligence. He rose through the ranks in the Postal Service, serving as Director of Mail Processing for Central Maine, Director of Finance for Southern Maine, culminating with the title of Postmaster of Auburn, Maine, where he retired in 1986. On November 12, 1955, he married his first love, Lorraine G. Benoit, the mother of his six children. Together, they enjoyed life and the raising of their family, though not without sorrow; they experienced a great loss in the passing of their infant son, Marc, in 1961. On August 26, 1976, after nearly 21 years of marriage, Lorraine succumbed to her four year battle with cancer. Healing would come with marriage to the second love of his life, Evelyn Williams Stinson. During his postmaster years, along with his postmaster wife, Evelyn, they enjoyed traveling all over the U.S.A. This continued well into their retirement, evolving into winters spent in Florida. Their marriage of 30 years brought two families together, with many more grandchildren. What a legacy! He had a great passion for sports; he loved his Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins, and spent much time absorbed in the games. He coached Little League Baseball with joy and enthusiasm during the years that his boys played. He also enjoyed playing dominos and card games, particularly cribbage, and he spent hours working on jigsaw puzzles. Additionally, he was a member of Kiwanis. His was a full and wonderful life! The warmth of his million-dollar smile, his dynamic personality and clever wit brought great joy and delight to all who knew him. He cherished his family and worked hard to provide for them. He absolutely adored his grandchildren, and they loved him dearly. Visits to Pepere's were filled with anticipation of his homemade fudge and a cold bottle of IBC root beer, and his larger-than-life hugs! He will be sorely missed! He is survived by his siblings and their spouses, Alice and Joe Bisson, Yvette Boisvert, Leo and Connie Ouellette, Paul and Alma Ouellette; his children and their spouses, Gerard Jr. and Monica Ouellette, Gary and Patti Ouellette, Debra and Scott Conant, David Ouellette, and Tina Ouellette; 15 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren; and he was expecting the birth of a great-great grandchild in February! Also included in his family are Diana Ward, Gina Ouellette, Owen and Brenda Stinson, Bruce and Kimberly Stinson, Laird and Sue Stinson, Arnold Stinson, and Jan Stinson; 23 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. Visiting hours will be Tuesday August 7th from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 pm at Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 53 Brunswick Ave. Gardiner, Maine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday Augusta 8th, at 10:00am, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minot Ave. Auburn, Maine. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Lewiston, Maine. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Dementia Association would be appreciated.