- Date Of Birth: November 5, 1929
- Date Of Death: February 13, 2019
- State: Massachusetts
Gerald A. Ouellette of Plymouth passed away February 13th, 2019, surrounded by family following a sudden illness. Born in Adams, Massachusetts on November 5, 1929 to the late Lucien and Pauline Ouellette, Gerry joined the Air Force after graduation from Adams High School and then entered Harvard College where he earned his BS and MA in engineering, at the same time raising a young family. Gerry then began a long career in aerospace, working on many projects for Raytheon, IBM, Wolfe, Mitre, Draper Labs, Kollmorgen, and as an independent consultant with the Department of Defense, Air Force, Navy and NASA, primarily working on guidance and navigation systems for rockets and satellites and missile defense systems. He was truly a Rocket Scientist. He also taught astronomy at Boston University, appeared as an astrologer on Boston TV news and was a guest lecturer at the Hayden Planetarium at Boston’s Museum of Science. Gerry loved the outdoors, which often brought him back to his roots in the Berkshire mountains and to live in nearby Northampton. He sailed for many years out of Sandy Bay Yacht Club in Rockport in both his Flying Scot, “PI” (#314) and his cruising boat, BETA LEONIS. His mathematical abilities were unequaled and made him an excellent engineer, sailor and navigator. Always looking for a new project he was an experienced carpenter, cabinetmaker, plumber and electrician, often undertaking large projects in his home and those of family and friends.Gerry grew up in a simpler time and often lamented current culture with its lack of common sense and personal responsibility. Since moving to the Town of Plymouth he had been active with the Council for Aging, Cable TV Committee and a frequent opponent of weekly trash pickup, favoring user friendly drop-off of trash and was a decades-long member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, serving as Exalted Ruler of the Northampton Lodge. At the time of his death, he was a life member of the Harvard Club of Boston, The Plymouth Elks, The Cold Spring Athletic Club and the American Rocket Society. He loved spending time with friends and family, especially over a cold beer or glass of wine, or his signature frozen strawberry margaritas at his annual Memorial Day cookouts. He and his wife, Jeannie kept Russian Blue cats, errant references to which raised eyebrows during his government security audits.Gerry is survived by Jeannie Ouellette, his wife and companion of 40 years, and his children Donald (Jean Paul) of Brookline, Tom of Boston, Stephen and his wife Karen of Rockport, Jillian McManus and her husband Brian of Plymouth, and grandchildren Emma Ouellette of Boulder, CO, Jamey Ouellette of Rockport, and Evan and Eden McManus of Plymouth. He is also survived by his brother Richard Ouellette and his wife Joan of Adams, and sisters Claire Kennedy of Adams and Shirley Kosche of West Barnstable. He was predeceased by his brother Donald and sister Roma. He also leaves many nieces, nephews and close friends behind.
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