Laconia-Gerard “Gerry” Joseph Lemay, 81, of 8 Grant Street died Saturday morning, December 29, 2007 at Lakes Region General Hospital after a brief illness.
Gerard was the son of the late Joseph and Leona (Corriveau) Lemay. A lifelong resident, he was born in Laconia on March 3, 1926, where he was raised and schooled, attending Sacred Heart School. He then went to Canada for a year to study at Seminary, returning to Laconia High School to continue his education.
Prior to his retirement Gerard was employed by the State of New Hampshire, Division of Motor Vehicles, Title Bureau Department. He had also worked at the former Laconia Needle Company, and did house painting throughout the Lakes Region with his Uncle, Sid Corriveau. Well known in Laconia as an organist, Gerard was the organist for Sacred Heart Church for close to 50 years, and a lifelong communicant. He also played the organ at St. Joseph Church, and Our Lady of the Lakes Church. He was privileged to play at many weddings and funerals. Gerard enjoyed visiting the residents at the St. Francis Home. He also had comfort visiting the Carmelite Monastery in Concord, and the Precious Blood Monastery in Manchester. He served for a brief period with the United States Marine Corps.
Besides his parents, Gerard is predeceased by his three brothers, Omer, Ralph, and Ronald “Babe” Lemay; and by a niece, Deborah Lemay.
Gerard is survived by his two brothers, Robert A. Lemay and his wife Nadja of Laconia, and Maurice A. Lemay also of Laconia; five nephews, Greg, Dennis, Allen, Gary, and Michael Lemay; six nieces, Janice Lemay, Gaye Beck, Donna Woodaman, Susan Hirsch, Kathy Fenoff , and Denise Cote; cousins, Betty Drouin of Laconia, and Sam Corriveau of Belmont. Several great nieces and great nephews, as well as many dear friends throughout the Lakes Region survive Gerard.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia at 11:00 am. Entombment followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery Chapel, Garfield Street, Laconia to await burial in the spring in the family lot. Visiting hours were Tuesday, January 1, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Gerard’s name may be made to the Sacred Heart Church Organ Fund, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246.