GERARD BERNARD GUAY
1922-2009

FARMINGTON — Gerard B. Guay, 86, died Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center after a long illness.

A lifelong resident of Bingham, he was born on Sept. 1, 1922, in Jackman, the son of Rudolph and Alice (Sullivan) Guay. After graduating from Bingham High School in 1940, he worked at the shipyard in Portland, where he met and married Helen F. Cloutier on Nov. 14, 1942.

A World War II veteran, Gerard served in the U.S. Army for four years, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. While serving, he and his wife traveled and resided in many places across the country.

He settled in Bingham with his wife, where they raised a family of four children. He was the postmaster of Bingham for 29 years, retiring in 1978. After retirement, Gerard and Helen became proprietors of Olde Things Antique Shop in Bingham.

Active in the community, he was a member of the Valley Riders Snowmobile Club, St. Peter's Parish Council, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Bingham Budget Committee and the Lions Club. He was also a Skowhegan Savings Bank Corporator, President of the local Fish & Game Club, Chairman of the Bingham Union Library Board of Directors for over 40 years and a past commander of the American Legion Stanley Beane Post #99. Gerard played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Bingham Area Health Center, Bingham Laundromat, banks in Bingham and the Bingham Motor Inn (Maplewood Motel).

His many spare time pursuits included purchasing and remodeling many homes in the area, as well as hunting, snowmobiling, "puttering" and carpentry.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen, of Farmington; son Jon and his wife, Lucy, of Lewiston; daughters, Janice Reed and her husband, Thomas, of Rumford, Catherine Swartz and her husband, Stephen, of Bowie, Md., and Ann Gordon and her husband, Wade, of Kingfield; sisters, Pauline Guay of Frederick, Md., and Bernadette Lancaster and her husband, Thomas, of Frederick, Md.; grandchildren, Scott Reed, Eric Reed, Jon C. Guay, Ryan Guay, Christopher Gordon, Emily Gordon and Michael Swartz; and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Francis, Charles and Edward Guay, and a special cousin, Dr. Jean Guay.

Heartfelt thanks to the caregivers of Edgewood Rehabilitation and Living Center for their outstanding care.

Gerard Guay

Gerard Guay