Gerald "Jerry" Jalbert

Fort Kent--- Gerald "Jerry" Jalbert passed away peacefully at his home, on December 6th, 2025, his 80th Birthday, with his family by his side. He was born December 6th, 1945, to the late Louis and Anna Jalbert, in St. John Plantation, Maine, the fifth of six children.

After his formative years, Jerry chose to remain in northern Maine, an area he loved dearly. It is here he met the love of his life, Ethel, whom he married on July 5, 1971. In following years, Jerry & Ethel raised and created wonderful memories with their three children, later giving way to the quality time spent with their five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Jerry loved the natural world and especially enjoyed hiking, gardening, birdwatching, and photographing nature. He founded the local chapter of the Explorer Scouts, and would fondly speak of his time spent as their leader. Jerry was a strong advocate for the area's small businesses. He served as the President of the Fort Kent Area Chamber of Commerce and later founded a recurring meeting for the town's business and professional leaders. Jerry was also an avid baker in his later years and loved creating sweet treats for his family and special occasions.

In his career, Jerry was an accomplished and respected photographer, earning hundreds of awards for his work and serving as the President of the Maine Professional Photographer's Association in 1989. In the forty years he owned and operated Jalbert Photography, Jerry captured the most important and happiest moments in the lives of the area's residents. He became known for the lengths he would go to get a good shot and joked that he had photographed so many weddings that he would remember important events by who got married around the time. Jerry took immense pride in his work and ultimately donated the negatives to the Fort Kent Historical Society so they could be enjoyed by the community, where they remain.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Ethel, and his children Heidi, Jesse and Andrew; their significant others Jason, Carissa, and Adrienne, respectively; three siblings, Claudette, Romeo, and Claude; five grandchildren, Bryce, Trevor, Kaylee, Charlee, and Tanner; and two great-grandchildren, Ara and Sirene. He was predeceased by his parents, Louis and Anna, and his siblings, Ken and Priscilla.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at St. Louis Church, Fort Kent. Relatives and friends may greet the family Saturday morning 8:30 – 9:30 AM at Lajoie Funeral Home, 14 E. Main St., Fort Kent. Spring interment will be in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry's name may be made to: Patient Airlift Services at https://skyhope.org/ .