LIMERICK- Gerald Alcide Provencher of New Sharon, Maine passed away peacefully on October 26, 2021 at age 82, after a short battle with COVID-19. He was born in Victoriaville, Québec on October 14, 1939 to Emile and Blanche Cote Provencher. He grew up in Limerick, Maine, where he lived the majority of his life. Gerald enjoyed sports, was known for being very inquisitive, and had a good childhood.
He graduated from Limerick High School in 1958, then enlisted in the Navy the same year. During his service, he reached the highest rank possible without a college education. He earned the title of Senior Chief Petty Officer and spent his time aboard the submarine tender, the USS Simon Lake, and the ballistic missile submarine, the USS Thomas Jefferson. He proudly served his country for 20 years, retiring from the military on October 3, 1977. With the experience he gained from his service, he started working on Central Maine Power’s maintenance crew the very next day on October 4, 1977. He loved his job and was an extraordinarily hard worker, rarely missing a single day of work or turning down an opportunity for overtime. He eventually worked his way up to Assistant Shift Supervisor at Cousins Island, and later River Control Operator on the Saco River. He was well-liked and respected by his fellow crew and colleagues. In 1994, he was briefly laid off though, and worked for Maine Mack, then Cianbro. Soon, he was rehired back at Central Maine Power, and continued there as they transitioned into Florida Power & Light, followed by NextEra Energy, where he retired from in the spring of 2015. In 2015 till the spring of 2019, Gerald worked for MSAD 57’s transportation department, transporting individual and small groups of students, which gave him further purpose post-retirement, and fulfilled his need to help people and socialize.
While in the Navy, Gerald married Brenda Smith, and was a loving and devoted father to their children, James, Kimberly, Gerry Jr., and John. He later married Jean Deveau-Boudreau, and was an exceptional step-father to her daughters, Janine and Nichole, and to her son, Brian, who sadly passed away in 1994. Gerald loved being a grandfather to his 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and also enjoyed time spent with his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his siblings, Jeannine Brunette of Berwick, Maine, Cecile LePage of Limerick, Maine, Leo Provencher of Port Orange, Florida, Claire Brown of Limerick, Maine, Robert Provencher of North Waterboro, Maine, Paul Provencher of Lewiston, Maine, and step-brothers, Andre Plette of Sarasota, Florida, and Denis Plette of Albany, Georgia. He is preceded in death by his siblings, Andre Provencher, Laurent Provencher, and Edward Provencher. His mother, Blanche Cote Provencher, passed away on March 26, 1956, and his father, Emile Provencher, on May 3, 1984. He is also predeceased by his step mother- Beatrice Provencher.
He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the Veterans Memorial Park Revitalization Committee, as well as a dedicated parishioner of Saint Matthews Church in Limerick, Maine. He liked working outside, especially in the woods trimming trees, and found great joy helping others.
Gerald will be dearly missed by his surviving family, friends, and colleagues. Visiting hours will be from 4:00pm-6:00pm on Monday, November 1, 2021 at Chad Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home at 71 Maple Street (Rt. 25) in Cornish, Maine. His memorial services will begin at 10:00am at Saint Matthew’s Church at 19 Dora Lane in Limerick, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his favorite organizations, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Maryknoll Missionaries, and the Knights of Columbus. THE FAMILY RESPECTFULLY ASKS YOU TO WEAR A MASK DURING THE MEMORIAL SERVICES. Sent from my iPhone
Visiting hours will be held on Monday Nov. 1 from 4 - 6 PM at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday morning Nov. 2 at 10 AM at St. Matthew's Church, 19 Dora Lane, Limerick. U.S. Navy Honors will be held at the conclusion of the mass. Burial will be held in New Sharon, Maine. The family requests mask wearing at both the visiting hours and funeral mass.