SARASOTA, Fla. — Gilles P. Tardif, 83, died peacefully after a short illness Tuesday, Feb. 20, with his wife, Terry Saunders Tardif, by his side at their winter home in Sarasota, Fla. They spent summers at the family home in Freeport.

Gilles was born Oct. 18, 1934, to Wilfred and Eva (Dumont) Tardif in Lewiston. He attended St. Peter’s School, and graduated from St. Dominic High School in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 in Korea. When home on leave, he married Monique G. Dion on Feb. 12, 1955. She predeceased him in October 2014. He was employed in the computer field and moved up and down the East Coast, where his four children were born. He later retired from Digital Equipment Corp. in 1991. He was an avid hockey player and coached in his early years, having played varsity hockey in high school. He was a member and volunteer of the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston. He was a member of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church in Freeport and St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Sarasota.

His hobbies were golf, skiing, travel; spending time with his family; and attending events in which his grandchildren were involved. He loved his Boston Bruins and was a huge football fan. He was a “glass half full” kind of guy, who had a great sense of humor and loved people.

Along with his wife, Terry, he is survived by his four children: Suzanne and her husband, Kevin Mager, of Derby, Vermont; Michael Tardif of Toronto; Michele and her husband, John Fodero, of Jericho, Vermont; and Gerard Tardif of Hudson, Massachusetts. Gilles is also survived and very proud of his 10 grandchildren: Patrick Mager and his wife, Bridget; Matthew Mager and his wife, Sara; Jason; Michael and Elise Tardif; Anna and John Fodero; and Attalissa, Conor and Eliza Tardif; and Terry’s four children and 11 grandchildren. Condolences, donations and video tributes may be shared or accessed at www.albert-burpee.com.

Gilles P. Tardif