Gerard “Gerry” J. Talbot

WATERVILLE – Gerard “Gerry” J. Talbot, 94, passed away peacefully on Sept. 26, 2023, with his daughters by his side.

He was born to the late Cyrille and Rose M. (Morency) Talbot, June 9, 1929, in Winslow. Gerard graduated from St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Waterville. After completing 8th grade, he went to work at a local supermarket to help support his family. That first job as a teenager would prove to be the beginning of a long career in local grocery and retail stores. He worked for many years in the produce department of the First National Store first at the Main Street location and later at the Elm Plaza.

When the store went on strike in 1968, and with a young family to support, Gerry was thankful to be offered a job at Sterns Department Store where he would become a fixture in the boys’ and men’s departments for many years. When Sterns closed, he went to work for Furniture Farm in Fairfield, and in his final years for Shaw’s in Waterville. Along with his full-time day jobs, Gerry always worked one or more part-time jobs in the evening. He worked hard his entire life to make sure that his family was well provided for.

Gerry served stateside in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was very proud of his time in the service and was rarely seen without his Korean War cap.

Gerry had an easy-going personality and a quick wit, which served him well while working in the community. He was always a gentleman, polite, kind, and respectful to everyone he met. Besides his family, practicing his faith was extremely important to him. He was a member of Corpus Christi Parish and attended mass faithfully and prayed the rosary daily.

With all the jobs he worked, Gerry’s “spare” time passions included preparing meals and baking, especially during the holidays, when he would make several tourtiere pies as gifts for family and friends. He also enjoyed listening to music, playing his harmonica and guitar, as well as refinishing furniture and chair caning.

He noticed Lucille, the love of his life, in the late 1940s when she would walk by the grocery store where he was working. After a two-year courtship, they were married at 7 a.m. on July 4, 1951. Their last anniversary before her passing earlier this year marked 71 years of marriage. He was proud of the fact that in all the years they were married, he never removed his wedding band after she slipped it on his finger on their wedding day.

Gerard is survived by his three children, Donald G. and his spouse, Edward J. Bell of Lisbon Falls, Angela and her husband, Jerry Bickford of Sidney, Brenda and her husband, Mark Gosline of Waterville; and by his one and only grandchild, Hannah Gosline.

In addition, Gerard is survived by his brother, Roland J. Talbot and his sister, Mary Jane (Talbot) Paquet, his sister-in-law, Suzanne (Veilleux) Talbot, and his brother-in-law, John Viens of Vassalboro; cousin, Doug Mathieu; along with several nieces and nephews.

Gerry will also be deeply missed by Theresa Hunnewell, her daughter Amanda Kimball and her sons Ryan and Travis, whose visits bought him great joy. He will also be missed by longtime family friend Carl Parker.

He was predeceased by his brothers Joseph Robert, Donald J (Brother Roger Paul, F.I.C.P.), and Roger P., and by his sister Orita M., and her husband Reginald Couture, his sisters-in-law, Jean (Dostie), Jeannine Viens, Bonnie Viens, and his brothers-in-law, J. Lawrence Paquet, Wilfrid Viens, and Joseph Viens.

The family wants to express their gratitude to the staff of Lakewood Continuing Care and Beacon Hospice Care who knew and cared for Gerry in the past year.

Friends and family are invited to attend visiting hours that will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5 at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville, followed by a committal at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.