Gerard P. Beaudette

June 19, 1933 - January 20, 2019

PORTLAND- Gerard P. Beaudette, 85, of New Gloucester, Maine died peacefully surrounded by the love of family and friends after a valiant fight against leukemia at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Gerard was born on June 19, 1933 in Lewiston, Maine, the sixth born child of Azarias and Fabiola (Filteau) Beaudette. Gerard was a lifelong fan of music. As a skilled trombonist, he was a member of a marching band as a young adult. The status and musical skill of his band even led to being cast in the 1957 movie, Peyton Place. He enjoyed attending live outdoor band or orchestra concerts and frequented Auburn Community Band Concerts in the summer and annual Independence Pops and Magic of Christmas performances by the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Gerard also collected various albums of his favorite jazz musicians, even cataloging his collection. After attaining a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of Rhode Island, he worked as an Acquisitions Librarian at Bates College in Lewiston for 26 years until his retirement in 1992. Gerard was an avid reader and surrounded himself with books of various genres. He shared his love of reading and learning with his children and led them on a bike ride every weekend to the local public library to borrow books. Gerard was a passionate sports fan, and faithfully watched every Red Sox, Bruins or New England Patriots game. He never missed an opportunity to go to Fenway Park to see his favorite team. Gerard was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Claire (Bonneau) Beaudette in 2006, and siblings Denise Beaudette, Sr. Lorraine Beaudette, Rita (Bonnevie) Beaudette, Raymond Beaudette, Richard Beaudette and Robert Beaudette. Gerard was loved by many as evidenced by his many affectionate nicknames-Pepere, Peep, Old Sport, Uncle Garage and Toppy. He is survived by his three children, Roland Beaudette and his wife Jamie of Orange, CT., Nicole (Beaudette) Andrews and husband Rick of New Gloucester, Maine and Christine (Beaudette) Bragdon and her wife Kathryn of Veazie, Maine; and honorary children, Jen and Scott Adams and Nancy Gahagan of Lewiston. He was a grandfather (Peep and Pepere) to Cameron and Austin Andrews, Kyle, Lani and Mason Beaudette and Ashley and Marissa Adams. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com . A Funeral Mass honoring Gerard’s life will be celebrated on Friday at 1:00 PM at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston. Committal services will then follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Those wishing may make donations in Gerard’s memory to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240 or to the Auburn Community Band P.O. Box 138 Auburn, Maine 04212-0138. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 5-8 PM at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston 784-4023.