Gerald A. “Jerry” Cournoyer, age 90, a resident of Woburn, passed away on July 30, 2021 after a brief illness and a broken heart. He was the beloved husband for 68 years of Marylou (Dalton) Cournoyer, until her death in May 2021.
Born in Webster, Jerry was the son Edgar and Ruth (Germain) Cournoyer. He was raised and educated in Millbury, MA. He enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served for 20 years, and received many accolades and awards for his service. He was a proud American and could always be seen with his signature “Retired Navy” hat with all the pins. He often visited the Recruitment Center and showered his children with Navy memorabilia, especially the grandchildren.
Upon his retirement from the Navy, Jerry worked at Amstar Corporation until they closed. He then worked for Gillette Company until his retirement. Although he never actually retired, as he remained active as a bagger at the PX in Bedford at Hanscom Air Force Base. He loved talking to people and was very social.
Mr. Cournoyer decided to go to college after retirement and received his Associates Degree from Newbury Junior College, an accomplishment of which he was very proud. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salem State University.
In the early years, Jerry loved to take his family to the beach and to drive-in movies, where they all piled into the station wagon. Marylou didn’t drive, so Jerry drove all of the kids to many events and taught them to drive. He went to many of his grandchildren’s events and loved being at the family parties, of which there were many.
In his spare time, he loved to read, was on two bowling leagues and was an avid Red Sox fan. He loved to talk about the stats with his children and grandchildren and really anyone who would listen. He was so proud each time the Sox won the World Series.
In the end, Jerry just didn’t want to be without his beloved Marylou, and his health issues just caught up to him in his grief. The family is comforted to know that they are together again for eternity.
Jerry is lovingly survived by his children: Linda Bissett of Woburn, Wendy Cohen (Jeff) of Wilmington, Jane Mulrenan (John) of Wilmington, Mark Cournoyer (Rosemary) of ME, Timothy Cournoyer of MA, Keven Cournoyer (Sandy) of Florida, and Stephen Cournoyer (Lisa) of Wilmington. He was predeceased by a son, Richard Cournoyer, a daughter, Debra Prentiss, and infant son David Cournoyer. He was the brother of Lorena Sayles, the late Al Cournoyer, and is further survived by 12 grandchildren: Brian, Kristina, Brittany, Meghan, Jack, Katelyn, Michael, Matthew, Keven, Ryan, Abby, Haley, and 6 great-grandchildren: Emma, Layla, Nicholas, David, Myracle and Christian.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Monday, August 9 from 9-10AM followed by Graveside Services at Wildwood Cemetery, 34 Palmer St., Winchester, at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and mailed to Memorials Processing, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. www.stjude.org.