Gerald Henry George Eugene Veilleux

Gerald H.G.E. Veilleux, 81, of Lewiston, ME, passed away Sunday, October 13th, with his loving wife at his side, after a short illness and a full life.

Gerry was born in Lewiston on July 26, 1943, to Eugene and Rachel (Roberge) Veilleux. The eldest of 5 boys (Gerald, Roland (Larry), Richard, Paul and Eugene Jr.), he attended schools in Lewiston, playing hockey and keeping his parents busy. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1962, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in, and fell in love with, the Panama Canal Zone from 1962 -1965. Learning as much as he could, he was honorably discharged with the machinist skills that he would employ from then on.

When he returned home, Gerry married Susanne Vallee in the blustery cold of a Quebec February 1967, and they together began to raise a family and make a home in Lewiston. There, they raised 2 children and ultimately celebrated 57 years of truly loving, holy matrimony in February of 2024.

Working to build a home, fill it with all the love and laughter it could hold and to provide for his family and extended family, Gerry took on several jobs at a time in the early years, and became a talented machinist / tool & die maker with a deep pride in his craft and craftsmanship. Eventually, this led him to a long employment with International Paper, where he worked until his retirement in 2007

Even post-retirement, he continued to work, notably driving for United Wheelchair Service for many years.

Gerry had many passions, all boiling down to the love of his life, his wife, Sue, and their journey together. They shared a love of family, a love of giving, the sunsets at their camp at Beaver Brook, his dog Bijou, boating on Androscoggin Lake and sharing in the bounty and beauty of Maine and Quebec.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife Susanne (Vallee) Veilleux of Lewiston; his children, Richard Veilleux and his wife Karen, of Southington, CT and Jerry Veilleux and his wife Sarah, of Lisbon, ME.; his foster daughter Terri Weir; 3 grandchildren, Elizabeth, Gabrielle and Meredith Veilleux; his brother, Eugene Veilleux, Jr and his wife Rachel, his sisters-in-law Anita Veilleux and Doris Veilleux Grenham and his many cousins and numerous nieces and nephews and

Gerry was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Richard, Paul and Roland (Larry) Veilleux.

A Memorial Mass honoring Gerald’s life will be celebrated on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church. Committal services along with a military honors service will be held at a later date at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Gerald’s memory to Prince of Peace Parish, 607 Sabattus Street, Lewiston, Maine 04240.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 4-7 PM at the Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner Street in Auburn, 783-8545.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.thefortingroupauburn.com .