WINSLOW -- Gerald E. Gosselin, 85, of Winslow, died Thursday evening, July 26, 2012, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer Unit, in Waterville, with his family by his side. He was born in Dracut, Mass., on May 4, 1927, the son of Joseph and Mabel (Beauchesne) Gosselin.
Gerry had a long career in textiles and manufacturing. He was a longtime executive with the C.F. Hathaway Shirt Co. in Waterville and later ventured out to create his own successful clothing business.
He traveled the world and had many interesting experiences.
He was involved in Goodwill Industries and believed that a person's occupational value has nothing to do with a disability.
He had the respect and friendship of people from all over the world and thoroughly enjoyed the cultural diversity that enriched his life.
He had a gorgeous singing voice and was director of a professional choir in his early years. He sang at home and loved to belt out the hymns during Sunday Mass, sometimes to the embarrassment of his kids sitting next to him in church.
Gerry had a way of making everyone he encountered feel special, and anyone who married into the Gosselin family became one of his own.
He had a quick wit and a great belly laugh. His favorite source of entertainment and pride was his family, and he always had a story to tell about one of his grandchildren, providing them with countless laughable moments as well.
He spoke three languages and invented a fourth, for the sole purpose of amusing his kids and grandkids.
A man of impeccable integrity, Gerry bent the rules that made no sense to him and marched to the beat of his own drummer.
He had a generous, loving heart and an iron will, and arguing with him was useless when his mind was made up. Through many years of failing health, he made it clear that he would never give up, and the sweet, stubborn, extraordinary man never did.
He married the former Jacqueline Lamy on July 1, 1950. His wedding anniversary was his automobile license plate number.
He is survived by his wife "the love of his life" of 62 years of marriage; two daughters, Priscilla Rice and husband Michael, and Celeste LaPointe and husband Stan, all of Winslow; one son, Gerald Gosselin Jr., and wife Gen, of Vassalboro; two brothers, Earl Gosselin and wife Doris, of Edgewater, Fla., and Nelson Gosselin and wife Claudette, of Lowell, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Kirsten Pomeroy, Stephanie Grondin, Rachel Reynolds, Lyndsey Giles, Jessica Poulin, Joshua LaPointe and Amanda LaPointe; and eight great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Courtney, Colby, Cooper, Cody, Kaitlyn, Jace and Chase.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Rita Fournier and Jessie Normandin; one brother, Marcel Gosselin; and one grandchild, Courtney Gosselin.
The family wishes to thank Dr. John Burke and staff, the nurses and doctors at MaineGeneral Medical Center and the numerous specialists that took care of him. Their warm care and impeccable skills helped him to stay with his family until he decided it was time to go.
There will be no public visitation. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow.
Committal prayers and burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.
Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the
, Founders Affiliate P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005; or to the
, 80 Elm St., Portland, ME 04101. Condolences and signing a guestbook may be done at gallantfh.com.
