Gideon L. Nadeau Sr.

He was born April 13, 1950 the son of Doris Gilbeau and Lee A. Nadeau of Marlborough, NH. Gideon’s younger life was one of many struggles after his brother drowned in Minnewawa River and his Mother left the homestead. For a number of years Gideon and his sister Eunice were raised in the County Farm, which was like an orphanage at the time, and many other foster homes until his Father remarried Jewel Melanson Nadeau and they were able to return to their home in Marlborough and attended schools there.

At 17 he joined the Army and then continued on in the Army Reserves for a total of 32 yrs. He spend 3 yrs. in Germany. He also worked for the Department of Defense for 28 yrs., first as a mechanic then as Unit Administrator at the Reserve Center in Keene. He retired 2010 from both jobs as a SFC. While in the military he got his GED and was 3 cr. short of having a degree in business from Franklin Pierce College. He was also very knowledgeable in any kind of history, local or worldwide.

Never one to sit idle, Gid pursued numerous careers by owning his own auto repair garage, The Troy Country Store, U-Haul franchise and a grain & garden supply business.

He raised milking cows, horses, various other animals and chickens over the years at his small farm on High St. in Troy. He stopped raising the larger animals after a fire destroyed his barn and he lost some horses and cows. He never got over the devastation that he was not able to save them.

Gideon owned two businesses at the time of his death, Gid’s Handyman Services and Gid’s Plowing Services. Not being one to say NO, he very seldom refused a job. The plowing business he started when he was 16 and when stationed in Germany he would work his furloughs so that he could be home to plow.

When he could find some spare time he was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed traveling in his antique RV and totally relaxed in the kitchen baking from scratch pies, cakes, cookies etc., making wonderful meals and pickling and/or canning pickles and beets or sitting in Troy Minute Mart debating anyone who wanted to take him on about town issues. When traveling with his wife and friends he was the only cook for the whole trip, per his choice.

There was never any gray areas with Gideon, it was either black or white, a hand shake sealed the deal, honest to a fault, he could be very head strong, had a heart of gold and you never wanted to tell him it couldn’t be done. You always knew where you stood with him and if you didn’t know, he would tell you in the Yankee tradition. He could lock horns with the best of them and then walk away and still be friends.

Over the years he has served on many boards in town and was in his 2nd -- 3 yr. term as a Selectman. There were very few local laws and regulations he didn’t know and if he didn’t know it he would find it out. He was for the taxpayers and the town employees- treat them right and they will get the job done.

Many years ago he started, with a few friends, a fund raiser to have a youth center, by holding roller skating at the Troy School and they raised over $30000.00 towards the building. When the Samuel E. Paul Memorial Center came to pass he would not release that money until the building was what he wanted and not a snack shack. He also was instrumental (an army of one) in finally letting the towns people know exactly what was going on with the defunct Troy Mills.

After being together for 5 yrs., he finally asked his fiancée, Marcia Primrose Abare , to marry him, with a one week time frame to organize the wedding to be during Senior Week at East Hill Farm, where they had spent their first date . On Oct.21st, 2015 they would have celebrated their 6th anniversary.

Gideon had two children from previous marriages, Angela Pelletier and her husband Scott from Dublin and Gideon L. (JR) Nadeau, Jr. from Richmond along with two Grand-daughters. Although there has always been a strained relationship between them, he loved them both dearly.

His parents, Stepmother, Sister, and his Stepdaughter, Cheri M. Abare, all have passed away earlier.

He also leaves his loving wife and partner , Marcia L. Nadeau, his beloved traveling buddies Jim and Pat Dicey, his longtime friend and co-worker from the Reserves ,Curtis Hopkins, his very special buddy Lexi Hopkins and of course his constant companion, Dion Branch Nadeau, his shelter dog that went just about everywhere with him.

A Celebration of Gideon’s life (very casual and bring a lawn chair) will be held on the lawn overlooking Mt. Monadnock, at The Inn at East Hill Farm, 460 Monadnock St. Troy, NH on Wednesday Sept. 9th at 11:00 am . There will be NO calling hours

Funeral arrangements have been prepared by Foley Funeral Home in Keene.

Donations can be made to the Troy Recreation Dept. Attn.: Jon Collins or you may practice random acts of kindness in keeping with his spirit.