WINSLOW – On Oct. 1, 2021, Gerard A. Poissonnier, much-beloved husband, uncle, and brother, with the guidance of angels, ascended to Heaven to join his Heavenly Father, his mortal being a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gerard was born April 6, 1955, the only son of Alcide and Gabrielle (Poulin) Poissonnier, in Waterville, Maine. His early years were somewhat idyllic, surrounded by extended family including cousins that were like siblings. His mother shared her love of music and dance with him, he took accordion and trumpet lessons, and he took dance lessons with his cousin Celeste Poulin as a preschooler. As a youngster, Gerard enjoyed fishing with his parents and sister, playing basketball with his uncle and cousins, and he particularly loved the game of baseball, playing on a local Little League team until his mother’s sudden passing when he was 12 years old. His mother’s passing was a traumatic event in his life, and he withdrew into the world of books. An avid reader, he carried that passion with him throughout every aspect of his life. His extraordinary intelligence coupled with his ability to consume information quickly contributed to his achievement as a National Merit Scholar. Among some of the first in his large extended family to attend college (Richard, Bernard, and Linda started before him), Gerard attended St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD. While at St. John’s he once again had the opportunity to play baseball, and to engage with the Naval Cadets in a competitive game of chess (another passion). Upon graduation, he returned home to Maine and enrolled in the University of Maine Law School where he made several life-long friends. One of his friends at the University was John Gillis, a student from the Canadian Maritimes who would take Gerard on a fateful road trip to Cape Breton where John would introduce him to his sister, Brenda Gillis. Upon attaining his law degree, Gerard traveled back to Cape Breton to marry the love of his life, Brenda, with whom he celebrated 40 years of marriage on August 21, 2021. Gerard spent his clerkship with DHHS assisting with preparing the documents for prosecution of child abuse cases. After passing the Bar, his dream was to join the military as a JAG, but his application was rejected due to his poor vision. Still interested in public service, he pursued a career with the State of Maine, with his first full-time position working for the Bureau of Elderly at DHHS. He subsequently worked a short stint at the Dept. of Corrections, worked several years at the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and finally, until his retirement in 2020, worked for Maine Revenue Services. Gerard had many and varied interests along his journey on this planet, and no matter what it was, he would pursue it with enthusiasm – researching and studying whatever the topic so that he knew it well. After his father’s passing in 2000, he found himself wanting to learn more about his father’s military service during World War II, which then developed into an interest in genealogy. He amassed a large database of information that he enjoyed sharing with his large extended family. He loved reading about his ancestors and relaying many interesting stories of the more illustrious among them. At the time of his passing, he had traced his bloodline back to the 3rd and 4th century in Europe, and the times of the legendary King Arthur, which inspired him to write a poem, “Cunedda’s Song” the day he became ill with the delta variant of COVID. Among his other interests were the professional sports of baseball, football, and NASCAR. On a local level, he enjoyed competitive shooting, having spent many days at the range with his close friend Dave, who recently predeceased him. He also developed an interest in boxing, inspired by his late uncle Jackie Fisher’s time as a boxer in the 1940’s. Although Gerard was not a boxing competitor himself, he was an ardent supporter of the local clubs and their progeny. In retirement, he took an interest in gardening and was in the process of developing his backyard into a space for growing vegetables, and recently became interested in heirloom apple species, with the intent of starting a mini orchard on his property to help conserve them. He also started tapping his (and his neighbors’) maple and birch trees for maple and birch syrup-making.In addition to work and his hobbies, Gerard spent his entire adult life dedicated to giving back to his beloved community. He generously gave of his time, support, and contributions to many organizations throughout the years. If it needed doing, Gerard was always first to volunteer. Among the many organizations in which he volunteered over the years are: the Winslow Lions Club, Bowling for the Blind and Friends of Fort Halifax. Gerard was also a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and more recently he served as the Grand Knight of Council 7300. His interest in his forebears’ long history of military service inspired him to join the VFW, and the Sons of the American Legion, representing the Sons as part of the Color Guard.Gerard was pre-deceased by his parents, his stepmother Evelyn (Sherrard) Poissonnier, stepbrother John Whalen, his parents-in-law, sister-in-law Ann Campbell, brothers-in-law John Gillis, Bob North and Bob Campbell, all 18 of his aunts and uncles, and his friend and shooting buddy, Dave. In addition to his wife, Gerard is survived by his sister, Paula Papsis, his stepbrothers Grayson (Joan) Whalen, Dennis Whalen, Mike (Diane) Whalen, and Glenn (Sandy) Whalen, sisters-in-law Rita (Ray) Russell, Grace (Len) Neville, Margie North and Margie Borden, special nieces Danielle Papsis (Mike Beavers), and Desiree (Steve) Thompson, and his grand-niece Renee Beavers. He is also survived by several special cousins including, Bernard and John Poulin, Celeste Thibeault, Mae Landry, Betty Leung, and many, many more. The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to the heroics of the staff of the Critical Care Unit at the Harold Alfond Center for Health in Augusta who risk their own lives to care for those stricken with COVID. Their care and compassion were very much appreciated by Gerard and his family.Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a Mass of Christian Burial Will be Celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 26 Monument Street, Winslow. followed by a Graveside Committal Service in St Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove St., Waterville.Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.comIn lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, 101 Silver St., Waterville, ME, or the Waterville Humane Society, 100 Webb Rd, Waterville, ME 04901.

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