Gerard L. Pothier

Hey, it's me, Gerry Pothier, but you might know me as Dad, Daddy, Daddio, Grampy, Luscious, Mr. Pothier, Mr. P. or just plain old Gerard. You can call me anything, but never call me late to dinner. I was born on a crisp autumn day in 1926 in Leominster, MA, and made my grand exit on November 14, 2024. 

As the saying goes, 'Life's a journey, not a destination', and boy, did I have one heck of an adventure! I was a mail carrier by trade, retiring in 1990 after many fruitful years with the United States Postal Service. You know, "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" and all that. But my heart always belonged to the Bruins, the Patriots, the Red Sox, and the Celtics. Oh, and pie. Any pie, really. Apple, raisin, blueberry – I never met a pie I didn't like. But enough about me, let's talk about the people I loved.

Speaking of love, I married to the love of my life, Anita, in 1964. She was the apple to my pie, so to speak. We raised a beautiful family together, and let me tell you, there was never a dull moment in the Pothier household. From camping trips to train rides, to vacations in Canada, we created decades of memories together. I leave behind my wonderful kids, Bill, Carol, Wanda, and Tim, and their equally fantastic partners Kate, Sean, Tim, and Stephanie. I was also blessed with an abundance of grandkids who brought joy, laughter, and occasionally, a bit of chaos into my life. My grandchildren and their partners have always been at the center of my life. Shane and Colleen, Brianna and Devin, Jeremy and Courteney, Rachel and Pati, Christopher, Sammy and David, Bella and Marshall, and Sofia - they have kept me young. Not to forget my great-grandson, Garrett, who is as adventurous and energetic as they come.

My parents, Wilfrid and Juliette, and my beloved Anita went ahead of me. I like to think they're keeping my spot warm for me. I am also pre-deceased by my brothers Paul, Marcel, Roger, and Ray, and sisters Irene and Claire. I'm survived by a whole troop of love: Bill and Kate, Carol and Sean, Wanda and Tim, and Tim and Stephanie, my sisters Pauline and Jeannette, several in-laws and many nieces and nephews - not to mention my amazing grandkids. I'm sure they're going to miss my sense of humor, but I've left them with plenty of 'Gerry-isms' to remember me by. You know, classics like, "Follow the car behind you" and "You stink nice!"

In our Catholic faith, we believe that those who mourn are blessed and will be comforted. I hope my family and friends find comfort in their memories of me as they navigate through this time of mourning. And hey, I might not be around in the physical sense, but I'm always with you in spirit, probably whispering Gerry-isms in your ears. 

This is Gerard Pothier, signing off. Remember to live adventurously, laugh often, be generous, and love fully. Oh, and eat pie. Lots of pie.

Feel free to leave your memories and upload photos of our good times together on the memorial page at  https://my.gather.app/remember/gerard-pothier-2024. I'll be looking forward to hearing your stories from up here. 

Also, these organizations were important to Gerry. Contributions to any of these organizations, rather than sending flowers, would be greatly appreciated. Homes for our Troops https://www.hfotusa.org/St. Jude’s’s www.stjude.org or the Ashburnham Food Pantry

Calling Hours will be Tuesday, November 19, 2024, from 9:00-10:15 a.m.at the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg MA.  A Funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on the same day at St. Cecilia’s Church located at 180 Mechanic Street, Leominster MA.  Burial will follow in St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Leominster.

Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Road, Fitchburg is directing arrangements.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor Directors.