Gerard J. Lavallee

Gerard J. Lavallee, 95, a resident of the Centralville section of Lowell, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015 a local healthcare facility surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Lowell on November 18, 1919, he was a son of the late Philippe and Amanda (Deschenes) Lavallee.
Mr. Lavallee was a lifelong parishioner of the former St. Louis de France Church and currently Ste. Marguerite D'Youville Parish.
He enlisted with the United States Navy in 1939 and served as a radioman first class during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1945. While serving his country Jerry was stationed in North Carolina at the Poyners Hill Lifesaving Mission. During his time there he worked with Naval Intelligence tracking German submarinesin the Atlantic Ocean. While in the Navy he was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, American Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of the Franco American Veterans.
Mr. Lavallee was a life member of the Centralville Social Club where he served as Director, Treasurer and President.
He served the City of Lowell as a firefighter for over 30 years retiring in 1985. He was assigned to the rescue squad for 29 years. While serving the city of Lowell, Gerry was instrumental in the design and implementation of the Lavallee Jig. This Jig was used to lower a rescuer to reach victims and then raise them to safety. He was a member of the Lowell Retired Firefighters Association.
Gerry was well know for his generosity not only to his family but to others. Some of his special charities were the establishment of the Lavallee Family Scholarship at St. Louis School, the Haitian hospitals and schools operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the Salvation Army in Lowell, Saint Joseph the Worker Shrine in Lowell, and the Lowell Retired Firefighters Association.
He leaves a brother, Paul H. Lavallee of Lowell; two sisters, Fleurette Moustafa and Jeannine Lavallee, both of Lowell; ten nieces and nephews. He was a brother of the late Edward, Roland, Rudolphe "Rudy" and Donald Lavallee, Pauline, Florence and Therese Lavallee.