RALEIGH, N.C., and WINSLOW – Gerald “Jed” Melvin Ouellette passed quietly into the night Jan. 11, 2008, at his daughter’s home in Raleigh, N.C., after several years of declining health. He was born July 24, 1924, in Millinocket, the son of William and Gertrude Cyr Ouellette. Jed graduated from Washington High School, Washington, N.J., where he lettered in three sports and captained the basketball team. After graduation, Jed joined the Navy and served in the European Theater during World War II. Upon returning, Jed soon met the love of his life, Carmen Duguay, in Winslow, to whom he was married for 52 years. He was employed by C E Noyes Co., for many years as a tire salesman and later in life started his own company, C & C Tire, Goffstown, N.H., which he solely and successfully operated until his retirement. He and Carmen then returned to Winslow to be close to family and friends. Jed had a lifelong love of sports. He participated in golf and fishing, and loved watching many sports on television. For two consecutive years in the 60s, Jed was city champion bowler at Elm City Bowling Lanes, Waterville. He loved to tell stories about the good times he’d had, of which there were many. Jed will be remembered as a devoted husband who worked tirelessly to care for Carmen during her struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was also fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren and showed his love always with selfless generosity. When no longer physically able to care adequately for himself, Jed’s daughter, Cindy, unselfishly invited him to share her family’s home in Raleigh, N.C., where he resided his last two and one half years. He shall now reside in the hearts of all who loved him. Jed is survived by his daughter, Cindy Kuriger and her husband, Dave, and their children, William and Bridget; daughter, Kathy MacDonald and her husband, Marty, of Leland, N.C., and their daughter, Jessica and her fianc?, Josh Shabtai, of Long Island City, N.Y.; son, James and his wife, Deborah, of Waterville, and their daughters, Emily of Atlanta, Ga., and Jennifer of Washington, D.C.; son, Jeffery Ouellette and his wife, Linda, and daughter, Taylor, of Quaker Hill, Conn; son, Greg Ouellette and his wife, Patty, and their sons, Neil and Kyle, of Kenduskeag; brothers, Bill Willette of Waterville and Frank Ouellette of Winslow; many special sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate Jed’s life will be held in May at Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta.
GERALD ‘JED’ MELVIN OUELLETTE
