Obituary of Gerald "Gerry" H. Tetreault

Gerald "Gerry" H. Tetreault, 89, of Putnam, passed away peacefully at Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation on January 16, 2015 after a lengthy but courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born in 1925, son of Henry and Dora (Gadbois) Tetreault. He was predeceased by his wife Elinor (Joslin) Tetreault, brother Paul, sister Phyllis, and stepfather Joacquim "Jack" Bicho. He is survived by his daughter Janice Tetreault and son-in-law Brian Krystof and special nephew Alan Joslin and his wife JoAnne, along with several other nieces and nephews and their spouses. He made his home in Putnam, and was a graduate of Putnam High School. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the US Navy as Gunners Mate Third Class on the USS LST 601. He was a member of the Putnam VFW. He worked as a plumber, bridge builder and foreman for Brunalli Construction, a model maker at EB and Kaman Aircraft, ending his career at Shaw Stationers. Gerry was always there to lend a willing hand and to help out in any way he could, quietly and in his own gentle way. He guided and continued to teach life lessons to the very end. He accepted life graciously for all it had to offer and was grateful for every day he was given. He was a great source of strength, comfort, inspiration and love to his family. He will be so dearly missed. His family would like to thank the caring, kind hearted staff of MCNR and DKH Companion and Homemaker Services for taking Gerry under their wings and befriending him. Graveside services will be April 25, 2015 at 11:00 AM in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Alzheimer's Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, Ct 06067 or the Day Kimball Hospital Chaplaincy Program, PO Box 632, Putnam, Ct 06260. Share a memory with his family at www.smithandwalkerfh.com.