Gerard M. Gardner

Somersworth…Gerard M. Gardner, 68, of 146-D High Street, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

He was born in Richmond, Maine on September 28, 1936, the son of Armand and Ruth (Lloyd) Gardner. He lived most of his life in Rochester and Florida, moving here recently.

Mr. Gardner was a master carpenter for most of his life, owning his own business. He was a loving and devoted father and grandfather, who loved to tease his family members and friends, and was always one to enjoy telling a good story. He was an avid outdoorsman, who had a passion for hunting, fishing and camping. In his younger years, he was a catcher for local baseball leagues. He had coached for various kids teams over the years, and enjoyed bowling. His family and friends will remember his joy at playing the harmonica.

He was pre-deceased by a brother, James Gardner, in 2002.

Survivors include his former wife, and best friend, Virginia Gardner; his children, and their spouses, Shari Baranski of Manchester, Vickie and Gordon Couch of Center Ossipee, Tammy and Tim Anderson of Delray Beach, Florida, Shawn and Charlene Gardner of Eliot, Maine, Tracy and Kristopher Walden of Bamburg, Germany and Kathy and Thomas Redden of East Rochester; two step-sons, Tommy Lanigan of Laconia and Todd Lanigan of Sanford, Maine; a brother, Peter Gardner of Stanhope, New Jersey; two sisters, Germaine DiShong of St. Thomas, PA and Elizabeth Lajoie of Allenstown; 21 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation at H.J. Grondin & Son Funeral Home, 177 North Main Street, Rochester will be Thursday morning from 9 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.

Please visit www.GrondinFuneralHome.com to sign the online guestbook.