Gerald Francis Janelle

Gerald Francis Janelle, 83, a longtime resident of Rochester, NH, and Sanbornville, NH, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 26, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer. Ever the positive presence, Jerry was still holding court and sharing stories and jokes with close friends and loved ones in his final days at his home on Great East Lake.

Jerry was born on August 29, 1941, in Rochester, NH, the only son of the late Genevieve and Josephat “Archie” Janelle. He grew up with one sister, Paula, and when he wasn’t on the baseball field or learning woodworking from his grandfather, Ovid Larochelle, served as an altar boy at Holy Rosary Parish in Rochester, NH. He was a member of the Class of 1959 at Spaulding High School, where he was a standout pitcher on the baseball team and where he made lifelong friends. He was a proud graduate of the University of New Hampshire (Class of 1963), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, was an Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity brother, and was honored as UNH’s 1963 Cadet Captain, leading 2,500 ROTC students in his senior year.  

For all who knew him, “The General” had a warm spirit and a larger-than-life presence. He accomplished a great deal and had a meaningful impact on many throughout his life. He always had a plan in mind or project at hand. He was an avid golfer and kept active well into his 80s, sailing, woodworking, fishing, clay shooting, and traveling. He had a deep love for lake life, his countless friends, and most especially, his family: his loving wife of 58 years, Lea; his adoring daughters, Lisa and Lea; and his two grandchildren, Dylan and Allie. “Pep” rarely missed one of Dylan’s baseball games, and proudly shared clips of Allie’s vocal and theater performances with just about everyone he knew.

Jerry served his community and country honorably throughout his life, including eight years of active service in the U.S. Army, three highly successful decades in community banking, and 30 years in the New Hampshire National Guard, where he led nearly two thousand citizen soldiers across the state, retiring as a Brigadier General.

A natural leader, Jerry had an illustrious military career in the U.S. Army (1963-1971), including serving two tours as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam in the 82nd Airborne Division, First Air Cavalry Division and 101st Airborne Division. He flew hundreds of rescue and transport missions, was an exemplary French-speaking liaison, assisted the Chief of Staff, and transported Bob Hope by helicopter to USO events. Among his many military decorations were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal.

Just before graduating from Spaulding High, Jerry’s attention was captured by a fellow student, the lovely Lea Lagasse. Shortly after returning from his first tour in Vietnam, Jerry and Lea were married in 1967 back home in Rochester, NH. Lea has quietly and expertly kept Jerry on track ever since. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Lisa, while they were stationed at Fort Benning, GA. Their second daughter, Lea, followed 11 months later in Rochester, NH, shortly before Jerry left for his second and final tour in Vietnam.

Upon returning from Vietnam in 1971, the Janelles raised their family in their hometown of Rochester, NH. Jerry transitioned to civilian life and started his career in banking, where he excelled in executive positions, including President and Chairman, for several banks over the next three decades, eventually retiring from Citizens Bank 1995. Simultaneous to his banking career, Jerry served in the New Hampshire National Guard, where he held the position of Director, Assistant Adjutant General, before retiring as Brigadier General in 2001.

Compassionate, dedicated, and generous, Jerry was always driven by his desire to “do a good job,” help others, and strive for positive solutions. An accomplished executive, he also volunteered for and served in board positions at many civic organizations, including Rochester Rotary Club, Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, Greater Seacoast United Way, and the NH Lakes Association. He also left his mark on countless charity events and golf tournaments.

Jerry and Lea spent their golden years on Great East Lake in Wakefield, NH, transforming the Lagasses’ seasonal summer camp into their retirement home in 1996. There, they served as gracious hosts to family and friends for many years, while also enjoying warm winters at their second home in Hobe Sound, FL.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lea (Lagasse) Janelle, as well as his two daughters, Lisa Comfort (and her husband Chris) of West Newbury, MA; Lea Walsh (and her husband Timothy) of Arlington, MA; his grandchildren, Dylan Walsh and Alexandra Walsh of Arlington, MA; his sister, Paula (Janelle) Lavoie (and her husband Richard) of Lee, NH; his brother-in-law Robert Lagasse (and his wife Ginger), of Flagstaff, AZ; his niece Janelle Lavoie (and her husband Tony Mulcahy) of Lee, NH; his nephews Jay Lavoie (and his wife Becky) of Nashua, NH, and Garth Lagasse of Vancouver, BC; and many dear friends in New Hampshire and Florida, too many to list.

Jerry was a loving husband, devoted father, cherished Pep, and beloved brother, uncle, and friend to many and his absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.

A funeral Mass celebrating Jerry’s Eternal Life will be held at Holy Rosary Church in Rochester, NH, on August 5, at 10 am. Burial with full military honors will follow at a later date at the New Hampshire Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.  

For those who wish, in lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Jerry's life, the family suggests that donations be made to the following organizations: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, t2t.org; Wakefield NH Food Pantry, wakefieldfoodpantrynh.org, P.O. Box 426 Sanbornville, NH 03872; and Family Promise of Martin County, mcfamilypromise.org, P.O. Box 1919, Stuart, FL 33495.

Cremation care by Peaslee Funeral Home. To express condolences, please visit: www.peasleefuneralhome.com