Gerald J. Gendron age 76 of Salem, NH, died peacefully Friday at the Holy Family Hospital, surrounded by his family after a long courageous battle with heart disease.
He was the loving husband of Theresa (Poirier) Gendron with whom he recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary.
He was born in Lowell, MA on August 27, 1931. Son of Arthur and Annie (Linehan) Gendron where he grew up and graduated from Keith Academy. He moved to Lawrence, MA where he married and raised his six children. He later moved to Salem, NH where he has resided for the last 21 years.
Mr. Gendron was employed by the US Postal Service in Lawrence, MA for 32 years until his retirement in 1990. He was a US Army veteran, serving in Germany in the Korean War. He was a member of St. Matthew Church in Windham, NH, and a former member of St. Ann’s Parish in Lawrence, MA, where he founded the St. Anne’s Sports Association for the youth of the parish. He was an avid sports fan and his passion was working with youth sports as a coach, mentor and number one fan of his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus,
# 4027 in Methuen, MA and served on the board of directors of the Lawrence Postal Employees Credit Union.
He loved spending time with his family, enjoying many family fun days at his summer home on Newfound Lake. He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren and will be missed by many.
In addition to his loving wife, Theresa (Poirier) Gendron of Salem. He is survived by one daughter, Debbie & her husband Andy McMahon of So. Lawrence, MA. Five sons: Jerry Jr. and his wife Susan, Dennis and his wife Beth, Michael and his wife Celeste all of Salem, NH; Thomas & his wife Virginia of Bradford, MA and Kevin Gendron of Derry, NH. He is also survived by two brothers and their wives, Leo and Terry Gendron and Francis and Jane Gendron of Lowell, MA. He was the brother of the late Gladys Lowell, Leighton Gendron, Raymond Gendron, Leonard Gendron and Arthur Gendron.
Mr. Gendron leaves 14 grandchildren Christopher, Kimberly, Dennis Jr., Matthew, Ryan, Jessica, Stephanie, Nicole, Micaela, Kaleigh, Nicholas, Joshua, Alyison and Brandon. He also leaves one great-grandchild Kallie and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 10 AM at St. Matthew Church, Windham, NH. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen, MA.
Calling hours will be held Monday, Oct. 15 from 4-8 PM at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St, Salem, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Martha and Mary Group c/o St Matthews Church, 2 Searles Road, Windham NH.