Joseph H. Gallant, Jr.

Portland, ME – Joseph H. Gallant Jr., 91 years old, of Portland died on Saturday afternoon, April 24, 2010 with his loving wife of 67 years, Avis (Marston) Gallant by his side. He was residing at The Osher Inn at Cedars in Portland.

Born in Bath, ME on August 11, 1918, he was the son of the late Ada (Taylor) and Joseph H. Gallant Sr. Raised and educated in Portland, Joe was a member of the graduating class of 1938 from Portland High School. He then went on to attend Portland Junior Tech School and the University of Maine in the Paper Technology Program. His thirst for knowledge was endless and he was considered a lifetime learner and enjoyed sharing his knowledge.

Joe loved music, Dixieland Jazz was his favorite; he was an accomplished harmonica player and at an early age he was a member of a seventy five piece harmonica band. He went on to perform with the USO bands. His love of music is how he met the love of his life, Avis. They meet in 1940 when she was playing the trumpet in the Portland Junior Symphony.

A US Army WW II veteran, Joe served from 1943 through 1946 and was part of the 47th bombardment squadron in the Gilbert Islands, South Pacific. He and Avis married five days before his deployment, September 16, 1943 and returned safely to his bride three long years later in Portland where they raised their three daughters.

His was a Machine Design Engineer and worked for C. J. Merrill as the Chief Project Engineer, Sales Manager and Air Dryer Engineer, Kidder Press as a Sales Engineer. He was also a partner with Process Engineer and Development, and a Safety Engineer at S.D. Warren. After his retirement Joe was often hired as a consultant for several projects even into his eighties.

Joe was the first certified skin and SCUBA diver instructor in the state. Over the course of his career he taught over 5,000 students and was considered the father of diving in Maine. He was the Maine State SCUBA coordinator, the NAUI instructor trainer, and received a lifetime achievement NAUI Award as well as numerous prestigious recognitions throughout Maine and the US. He was also the LT. Commander of the Marine Police Squad. He founded and directed the Portland Subaqua Academy and was dedicated to the safety and responsibility of thousand of divers in Maine. His first diving experience was while stationed in the South Pacific.

Joe also belonged to many organizations; he was the past president of the Maine Historical Society, Maine Association of Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1918 Club, Highland Lake Association and Windham Historical Society. He was also one of the founding members of the Maine Marine Alpine Club, a lifetime member of the YMCA, a member of the NRA, Portland Museum of Art and the Maine and US Society of Tool and Manufacturing Engineers.

Gardening was yet another interest as well as beer and wine making. He studied genealogy, history and archeology. He also held a pilot’s license and owned an airplane, an Aeronica, before he ever owned a car.

Surviving are his wife, Avis and his three daughters Linda M. Palmer and her husband Joel of Limerick, Deborah A. Gallant and her husband William Gordon of Searsmont, and Ann Marie Rosenfield and her husband Gary of Cape Elizabeth. He also leaves his four grandchildren Jonathan Palmer, Amy Hanson, Jake and Zoe Rosenfield and four great grandchildren Jillian, Nathan, Jocelyn and Izabella. In addition he leaves behind his sister Frances Bean of Falmouth and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Thomas Gallant and Elizabeth (Gallant) Cloutier.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Osher Inn and VNA Home Health and Hospice.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation on Friday, May 7, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home in Portland.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Rustin officiating.

Burial with military honors at Blanchard Cemetery, West Falmouth will be private.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Joe’s guestbook.

Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Services

199 Woodford St.

Portland, ME 04103

207-775-3763

www.jonesrichandhutchins.com