Laconia-----Gerard Leon Morin, 88, of Laconia passed away peacefully at Lakes Region General Hospital surrounded by family members.
He is survived by his wife Marjorie H. (Lord) Morin and their children Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey (Margaret Morin) Thurston of Gilford; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond L. (Pamela Morin) Cote of Gilford and York, Maine, Mr. and Mrs. Gerard C. (Joanne O'Neill) Morin of Laconia; Ms. Paula Gagne of Wakefield, NH and Prudy Morin Veysey and her husband Warren Veysey of Gilmanton, NH. Gerard also leaves behind wonderful nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and several cousins.
Gerry was predeceased by his daughter, Patricia Morin Charland in 2010 and her sons, Jason Charland in 1988 and Ryan Charland in 2009, his parents Amie and Generia (Fillion) Morin, brothers Ray Morin (WWII pilot), Dr Robert Morin of Franklin, NH and twin sisters, Lucille Morin (Mrs. George "Bud") Bissonette and Cecile Morin (Mrs. Everett) Clifford.
Gerry was a four-sport letterman at Laconia High School, Class of 1942, Lettering in basketball, football, baseball and track. He was also involved with sled dog racing in his earlier years. He attended Marietta College in Ohio and enlisted in the US Army during WWII where he trained Sled Dog Teams in the mountains near Helena, Montana.
After serving in the US Army, he was recruited by the Brooklyn Dodgers & Braves, to their Farm Team, as a pitcher until sidelined by an injury to his pitching arm. He was the youngest Democratic Mayor to serve Laconia at the age of 29. While serving as Mayor he was instrumental in the development of the Little League fields at Opechee Park and at age 32, he was the Democratic nominee for US Senate.
He owned and operated both Lake City Beverage Co. and Keene Beverage Co. until he sold the business in 1976.
He retired to Vero Beach, Florida in 1976 where he resided at Dodger Town, a retirement community affiliated with the LA Dodgers. While there he enjoyed the Dodger's spring training baseball games, golf and visits from family and friends. He returned to Laconia, NH in 2009.
There will be no calling hours.
There will be a Graveside Service in the family lot on Friday, November 18, 2011 at 1:30 at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Ryan Charland Memorial Scholarship Fund C/O Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247-7312.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.