Methuen, Mass.--John Gilles Rousseau, 64, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010,at Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill.
He was born on Dec. 27, 1945, in Bon Secours, Quebec, to Liane and Jean Paul Rousseau. After his family moved to Lawrence, he attended St. Anne's School and spent summers at his aunt Rachel and uncle Maurice Plante's dairy farm in Swanton, Vt. He graduated from Lawrence High School and Coyne Electric. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968.
On Feb. 15, 1970, he was married to Jeanne Desrosiers, who taught in Lawrence schools until 2008. They raised their two children in Lawrence, where they attended St. Patrick Church, and in Methuen, where they attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. John had a talent for fixing things. He began his career as a machinist at Vulcan in Lawrence and Amalgamated Plastic Corp.in
Lowell. He later worked for his brother Leo's company, Corner Variety. Since 1996, he had been the custodian at First Calvary Baptist Church in North Andover, where he made many friends.
John loved plants and animals. He enjoyed gardening, nature walks, and taking afternoon naps with his dog,Brandy.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne Rousseau; two children, Susan Rousseau of Seattle and John Rousseau of Salem, N.H.; his sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Chanel Houle of Dracut; and his sister-in-law and her partner, Linda Rousseau and Brent Douglas of Amherst, N.H. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, Jan. 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Pollard Funeral Home in Methuen. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, Jan. 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Queen of Peace Church in Salem,NH. Memorial donations may be made to Merrimack Valey Hospice House, in care of Tammy Stott, Home Health Foundation, 360 Merrimack St., Bldg. 9, Entrance I, Lawrence, Mass. 01843.