Gerard N. Blais

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Wed, 11/23/2016 - 12:32
Submitter's First Name
Constance
Submitter's Last Name
Blais
Relationship to Honoree
Wife
Submitter's Phone Number
401-769-9582
Mill Employee First Name
Gerard
Mill Employee Middle Name
Normand
Mill Employee Last Name
Blais
Mill Employee Birth Date
Mill Employee Birthplace
Woonsocket, RI
Mill Employee Workplace 1
Woonsocket Rayon
Job Title 1
Maintenance
Mill Employee Start Date 1
1945
Mill Employee End Date 1
1956
Mill Employee Workplace 2
Hasbro
Job Title 2
Shipping Room
Mill Employee Start Date 2
1960
Mill Employee End Date 2
1979
Mill Employee Workplace 3
Rochambeau Worsted Co.
Job Title 3
Cloth Inspector
Mill Employee Start Date 3
1980
Mill Employee End Date 3
1988
Mill Employee Photo
Mill Employee Nickname
Jerry
Mill Employee Ethnic Identity
French Canadian
Mill Employee School
Woonsocket Middle School
Mill Employee House Worship
St. Ann's Parish
Biography Text

Jerry was born in Woonsocket. He is the son of William and Parmelia, nee Milotti Blais. He was raised in a family of five sons and one daughter. He entered the work force at the age of 16, starting at the Woonsocket Rayon mills.

Jerry served honorably during WWII in the U.S. Army on a base in Keflavik, Iceland. The base was primarily used a stop over for wounded servicemen. Here they would be evaluated and prepared for their flight back home. He served from 1943 until September 1945 when he was granted a disability discharge.

He married Constance Peloquin at St. Ann's Parish on June 10, 1950. He and Constance had two sons, Richard and Raymond. Richard went on to marry Linda Wheeler. Their son Raymond died an untimely death at age 19 which left a major void in the lives of her and her family. Jerry and Constance have 2 grandchildren, Anna Belle and Michael.

He joined the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and was a member until his death in February 2015, age 91.