Gerard Lionel Audette, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 24, 1947, in Springfield, son of the late Lionel J. Audette and Alice (Elie) Audette. Gerard proudly served in the United States Army and was a Veteran, stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge, he pursued his lifelong passion for barbering, becoming a Master Barber and owning his own barber shop in Feeding Hills for many years. He later shared his expertise as a barber instructor at Brom’s Academy in Holyoke, MA, and went on to serve as Director of Creative Beauty School in Enfield, CT. Gerard also sat on the Massachusetts State Board and proctored licensing examinations. A man of deep faith and service, Gerard was a Eucharistic Minister at Mary Mother of Hope Parish. He was a member of VFW Post 6714 in West Springfield, MA, as well as the American Legion Regional Chapter. Gerard enjoyed restoring old cars, attending car shows, and woodworking. Above all, he cherished time with his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Madeleine (Aube) Audette of Chicopee; his son, Daniel Audette and his wife Angela of East Hartford, CT; his daughters, Ginette LaFleur and her husband Frederick of Jupiter, FL, and Susanne Breault and her husband Gerald of Springfield; his brothers, Joseph Audette of Wilbraham, Lionel Audette and his wife Ellen Mills of Feeding Hills, Raymond Audette of Chicopee, and Armand Audette and his wife Lisa of Cape Cod. He also leaves his cherished grandchildren, Freddy, Sophia, Lucas, Izabela, Zack, Ryan, and Zack, as well as his sister-in-law, Karen Audette. He was predeceased by his brother, Roger Audette. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield Street, Chicopee. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 26, 2026, beginning at 9:30AM at the Grise Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Mary Mother of Hope Church at 11:00 AM. Committal prayers and military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Baystate Hospice, 30 Capital Dr, Ste A, West Springfield, MA 01089 or to Mary Mother of Hope Church, 840 Page Blvd, Springfield, MA 01104. For online condolences, please visit www.GriseFH.com.