Laconia - Gerard “Gerry” Rene Morin, 88, of 14 Magnolia Lane, Laconia, died Wednesday evening, January 15, 2014, at the Genesis Rehabilitation Center after a period of failing health.
Mr. Morin was born February 15, 1925, the son of Henry and Louise-Anna (Fournier) Morin. A lifelong resident of Laconia, he attended school in Laconia until enlisting in the Army in 1941. He spent three years as a Staff Sargent Radio Repairman stationed in Panama and an additional one and a half years stationed in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, returning to civilian life in 1945.
His entry into the Textile Industry came with Scott and Williams Company working as a machine tester and service technician. In 1948, Gerard moved to work at Seneca Knitting Mills in Seneca Falls, NY. He returned to Laconia to marry the love of his life, Ann Stewart. Shortly thereafter they relocated back to Laconia and Gerard worked at Sulloway Hosiery Mills in Franklin, NH. During this time, he invented a hosiery machine that made argyles automatically. He was hired in 1951 at Cormier Hosiery as a research engineer and quickly was made Head of Research. His association with Cormier lasted 28 years as Vice President of Research and Development before retiring in 1978. During this time Gerard acquired six patents and built approximately 300 hosiery machines used in conjunction with the patents. Additionally, he personally started Sun and Surf Footwear in Franklin, White Mountain Industries in Campton, and Woodsville Industries in North Haverhill. In 1981, Gerard took over Star Specialty Knitting, initially locating it in Franklin and then moving in 1988 to Laconia. He served as Owner and CEO until closing in 2001.
Gerard enjoyed many adventures throughout his life, including a failed attempt to hitchhike to the New York World Fair with a childhood friend. He was active in the Elks, VFW, and Winnipesaukee Yacht Club. He enjoyed tennis and golf, but his passion was sailing. He delighted in sailboat racing with his family on Lake Winnipesaukee, always serving as the consummate helmsman. A devoted family man, he sponsored numerous family trips including an unforgettable two day train ride to a family ranch in Montana, and more recently a trip to Cape Cod with his great-grandchildren. Known as ‘the Judge’, he would arbitrate sibling squabbles between his grandchildren with compassion and respect.
He is survived by his dedicated wife of sixty-four years, Ann (Stewart) Morin of Laconia; his daughter Marcia Hayward and son-in-law Richard Dunnell of Laconia; his brothers Alex Morin of Laconia and Raymond Norman Morin of Myrtle Beach, SC; his grandchildren Kristen Nazer of Gilford and Aaron Hayward of Laconia; his three great-grandchildren Abigail Hayward, Aidan Hayward, and Lauren Nazer; and his seven nieces and six nephews.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Jan 23, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Andre Bessette Parish at St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia. A reception will follow at the Beane Conference Center, 35 Blueberry Lane, Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, PO Box 6123, Laconia, NH 03247, or the Boys and Girls Club of the Lakes Region, 888 N. Main St., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.