Gerard E. Papineau

NASHUA - Gerard Earl "Gerry" Papineau, 93, of Nashua, died Friday morning, Oct. 24, 2014, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, after a period of declining health.A resident of Nashua for many years, Gerry was born in Norwich, Conn. on Feb. 4, 1921, a son of the late Earl and Elizabeth (Charron) Papineau. Educated in Connecticut schools, Mr. Papineau was a Navy veteran, proudly serving as a tail gunner and radioman aboard the TBF Avenger on the aircraft carrier Natoma Bay in the Pacific Theater of operations during World War II. He twice survived his plane being shot down.After the war, Mr. Papineau worked as a top sales manager for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and later ran the former Nashua Ten Pin Bowling Lanes. He also owned and operated Over the Hill Outfitters in Amherst. Mr. Papineau was passionate about hunting and fishing and the Detroit Tigers. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, dancing, listening to music, and singing at the Senior Center. Most of all, Gerry loved his Brittany Spaniel dogs.Mr. Papineau is survived by his wife and love of 62 years, Ruth A. Papineau, of Nashua; a daughter and son-in-law Patricia and David Reno of Florence, Ore.; a son and daughter-in-law, Timothy M. and Linda Riley of Bedford; a daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Marc Levine of Gilbert, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren, Kim Papineau, Walter Papineau, Garrett Papineau, Raymond Papineau, Eric Papineau, Bree Clark, Amy Bahan, Sean Riley, Christopher Riley, Matthew Riley, Rachel Levine and Jacob Levine; many great-grandchildren; a sister, Inez Urso of Baltic, Conn.; a brother, Lenwood Papineau of Hanover, Conn.; many nieces and nephews.

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services: In addition to his parents, Gerry was predeceased by his son, Walter Papineau, his grandson, Michael Riley, and his brother, Richard Papineau.There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad St., Nashua, Monday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. Family and friends are invited to attend. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mr. Papineau and in appreciation of the care and peace given to him in his final days, to the Community Hospice House, Attention: Development, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock St., Nashua. For more, 603 882-0591 or www.farwellfuneral.com.