Gerald A. Charest

September 17, 1927 - February 1, 2016

COLEBROOK – Gerald Alfred Charest, 88, of Colebrook, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday morning, Feb. 1, 2016, surrounded by his loving family and after a long period of failing health. He was born on Sept. 17, 1927, in Berlin, NH, the son of the late Alfred and Marie-Louise (Major) Charest. The Charests later moved to Canada to escape the effects of the Great Depression, and at the age of 14, Jerry quit school to support his mother and five siblings after his father passed away. When he was 18 years old he joined the U.S. Army and was a proud World War II veteran, serving time in Japan during the reconstruction of the country after the war ended. After completing his military service, Jerry settled in Colebrook and learned the plumbing trade from Daniel Hebert. He worked for Daniel Hebert Inc. and later struck out on his own as an independent plumber. Jerry and his wife, Leone, moved to Panama City Beach, Fla., in 1972. He earned his Master Plumbing, Electrician, and HVAC licenses and worked for twenty years as a foreman for a construction company on the building of condominiums in Panama City Beach. In 1989, Jerry and Leone moved to Wildwood, Fla., to be closer to their two daughters and grandchildren. They came home to Colebrook every summer, where Jerry returned to work for Daniel Hebert, and continued a professional and personal friendship of more than 50 years. After the passing of his wife, Leone, in 2013, Jerry moved back to his home in Colebrook where he remained until his death. His greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends, and he will be remembered as a humble, caring man who always had a smile and was kind to all, and loved life. Anyone who knew him well would comment that “they just don’t make good men like that anymore.” Family members include his daughters, Dianna Spitolnick and husband Scott of Tampa, Fla., Cynthia Vallier of Orlando, Fla., and Carol Ladd and fiancé Mark Forte of Auburn, NH; 6 grandchildren, Matthew Rainville, Justin Ladd, Benjamin and Zachary Spitolnick, Stephanie and Danielle Vallier; great-granddaughter Bella Rainville and great-grandson Ryan Ladd; siblings, Gil and Roger Charest of Quebec City, Que., Guy Charest of Montreal, Que.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Leone (Frizzell) Charest, and a son, Daniel “Bucky” Rainville; a brother, Robert Charest, and a sister, Claire Charest. There are no public calling hours. A graveside committal service with military honors will be held later in the spring in the Colebrook Village Cemetery of which notice will be given. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the 45th Parallel EMS, 46 Ramsey Rd., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements in NH are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.