Gerard J. Caron

CARON, GERARD J. – The funeral will be held from Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg on Saturday, January 5, 2019, with a Mass in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St., Leominster at 11:30 a.m.  Calling hours will be at the funeral home on Saturday morning from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.

 

To those who desire, donation gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Gerard J. Caron to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284    or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.

The Caron Family would like to thank the staff from HealthAlliance Home Health for their kindness, their visits and exceptional care.



Fitchburg – Gerard J. Caron, 91, a lifelong resident of Fitchburg, passed away in the Holden Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center on Sunday, December 30, 2018 after a brief illness.

 

Gerard, one of ten children, was born in Fitchburg on June 29, 1927, son of the late Henry and Olivine (Gaudet) Caron. He attended Saint Joseph Elementary School and Fitchburg Vocational. Gerard enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country during WWII until his honorable discharge in 1946 as a Seaman Second Class. He was issued the WWII Victory Medal, American Area Medal and Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal. He then worked for W. E. Aubuchon Hardware in shipping, where he met his wife Doris, who worked in accounting.  For over 35 years, Gerard worked at the former Crocker Burbank Paper Mill, Weyerhaeuser, James River as a papermaker, retiring in 1988.

 

Always known for his “green thumb”, he loved gardening and yardwork, taking immense pride in his meticulous lawn and flower gardens. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post #429 in Fitchburg. Gerard was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and its’ choir for over 50 years. He was also a self-taught organist and soloist.

 

Gerard displayed a lifetime of working hard and of enjoying the fruits of his labor. Gerard loved camping, beginning in 1964 after constructing his own family camper and ending in 2017 when he celebrated his 90th birthday at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Connecticut with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He believed that those that play and pray together, stay together. He also loved traveling near and far with Doris, including to Europe, Canada, Hawaii, New England, California, and annual winter trips to Daytona Beach, Florida.

 

At the age of 70, Gerard was determined to finally live in his “dream home.”  A strong craftsman, he assisted in the building of a brand-new home in Fitchburg, which he took much pride in maintaining over the last 21 years.

 

He reveled in the accomplishments of his children and in the true love of his wife of 66 years.  With his gentle spirit, he always had a kind word for all and will be so greatly missed.

 

He is survived by his four children, Gerald Caron and wife Karen of Westminster, Louise Paquette and husband Richard of Lunenburg, Peter Caron and wife Patricia of Westminster, Diane Fluet and husband Kenneth of Lunenburg; Grandchildren, Julie Paquette and Derek, Valerie Paquette and Eric, Lauren Garside and Christopher, Jennifer Bessette and Tyler, Jessica Champagne and Matt, Kimberly Tramontozzi and Michael, David Caron and Meegan, Daniel Caron and Jennifer, Jillian Fluet, and Alex Fluet; Great-grandchildren Brooke, Cora, Lillian, Adrienne, Calvin, Jaymeson, Jacoby, Jackson, Mason, Isaac, August, Jack, Noah, and Stella. Gerard is also survived by three brothers, Laurence, Louis, and Leo Caron; two sisters, Mariette Brisbois and Carmen Housman and many nieces & nephews.

 

Gerard was predeceased by his loving wife, Doris (Gamache) Caron who died in October 2015; his grandson Jacob Fluet; three brothers, Paul, Henry, and Eugene Caron, and a sister, Evette Caron.