SHREWSBURY___Gerald P. Collette, 95, passed away on October 27, 2022 with his daughter by his side at the Shrewsbury Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after a long period of declining health. For several years he was the loving caregiver for his wife Ann (Shea) Collette, who passed away on May 1, 2020.
He was born in Gardner, MA on August 23, 1927 to the late Peter O. and Marie R. (Bourque) Collette. When he was 5 years old, the family moved to Worcester, where he spent the next 80 years. After graduating from St. Stephen’s High School in 1945, Jerry joined the U.S. Army, proudly serving in the 60th Signal Service Company. He made lifelong friends during his service years and attended many reunions across the country to spend time with them.
Jerry spent all of his working years in the manufacturing business. He began as a machine operator and steadily worked his way up the ranks. While working full time and raising 5 children, he attended classes at night and graduated from Worcester Jr. College. He then made the leap from the shop to an office. For many years, he worked for Allied Manufacturing Co. as the Sales Engineer and Purchasing Agent until his retirement.
With his young family, Jerry kept quite busy. He was a baseball coach, a scout leader, a CCD teacher, and the family chauffeur. He loved to drive, and Sunday afternoons were often spent with his family in the car, off on some kind of adventure. Family vacations were also road trips with the family’s camper attached to the back of the car. Many fun memories were made on those trips.
Later in life, with more free time and a desire to stay healthy, Jerry took on a new challenge and learned to play tennis. He loved it and continued to play well into his retirement years. He also loved music and always had his radio or stereo playing. He was an avid reader and crossword puzzle solver. He and Ann took many trips visiting Canada and visiting his siblings, children, and grandchildren who live away. Nothing put a smile on his face more than spending time with his grandchildren. He had a special connection to each and every one of them, and they all knew how much they were loved.
Jerry was a longtime member of St. Joan of Arc Church. He actively participated in all church events and was a lector, Eucharistic minister, and altar server. He was also a homeowner and member of the Board of Trustees at Quabbin Estates for many years. During his stay in Shrewsbury, he was president of the Resident’s Council.
Jerry is survived by his children; Jeanne Aspero and her husband Ronald of Boylston, MA, Joyce Emerson and her husband Dell of Perry, GA, JoAnne Collette of Asheville, N.C., Jacqueline Rivera and her husband Cesar of Holiday, FL, and Gerald R. Collette of Land O’Lakes, FL. He also leaves his 11 grandchildren; Sarah DeFelice, Kevin Aspero, Rachel Teidman, Ryan Emerson, Cory Emerson, Lianna Kushi, Sean Kushi, Ryan Collette, Paul Kushi, Gina Kushi, and Jeannine Collette, and 14 great grandchildren. He leaves his brother Raymond Collette of The Villages, FL and his sisters, Jeannette Daoust of Seminole, FL, and Yvette Gaulin of Largo, FL, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Ann and his parents, Jerry was predeceased by his brother Omer Collette and his sister Dorise Soucy.
Jerry’s family would like to express our thanks to the wonderful staff at the Shrewsbury Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the extraordinary care given to Jerry during his stay there. The amazing Unit 1 team became family to him and treated him with respect, compassion, and dignity right to the end of his life. He loved and appreciated all of you. Special thanks must be given to Elesa Clarke and Tina Audet who went far above and beyond, not only for Jerry, but his family as well. For all of you we are forever grateful.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jerry’s family from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Monday, November 14th at DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St, Worcester. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 15th at 10:30 am at St. Joan of Arc Church, 570 Lincoln St., Worcester (please go directly to the church). A private burial for family only will follow.