LEWISTON — Gerard Noel Ouellette, “Gerry,” 86, passed peacefully Sunday morning, July 29, surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness. He was born at home in Lisbon on Christmas Day, Dec. 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. 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 at the Auburn Post Office in 1960. For 12 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 U.S. 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, from where he retired in 1986.

On Nov. 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 Aug. 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 United States. This continued well into their retirement, evolving into winters spent in Florida. She passed March 18, 2009. 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 his boys played. He also enjoyed playing dominoes 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.

Besides his parents, two wives and one son, he was also predeceased by a sister, Muriel LeClair, and a brother-in-law, Reginald “Blackie” Boisvert.

He is survived by his siblings and their spouses: Alice and Joe Bisson, Yvette Boisvert, Leo and Connie Ouellette, Paul and Alma Ouellette and Dick LeClair; 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; 27 great-grandchildren; and he was expecting the birth of a great-great-grandchild in February. Also included in his family: 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.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

Gerard Noel Ouellette Sr.