Gerald M. Gallant

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Gerald M. Gallant, 81, of Stratford, Conn., passed away suddenly on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Bridgeport Hospital.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving four years under General Curtis Lemay, was born in Rumford to the late James and Clara (Paulin) Gallant and has been a long time area resident. He was a 1947 graduate of Stephens High School, where he was a member of the 1945 and 1946 state championship football teams and was also a member of the baseball team.

While serving in the Air Force, he was a member of the inter-squad football team. He worked for 10 years at AVCO and for 33 years at Sikorsky Aircraft, retiring in 1993. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling extensively in the United States, Hawaii, Europe and the Caribbean and attended many Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles games with his family. He was an avid fan of college football, especially Notre Dame, the Boston Red Sox, U-Conn Basketball and the New York Giants. He was a member of St. Mark Church in Stratford and was a former youth sports coach in Stratford.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Elaine Janosko Gallant; his devoted sons, Glenn Gallant of Trumbull, Conn., and Dr. Greg Gallant, an orthopedic surgeon and his wife, Dr. Jane Gallant, an internist, both of Doylestown, Pa.; his cherished granddaughters, Elizabeth, 10, and Allison, 7; his sister, JoAnne Bergeon of Las Vegas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Niki Janosko of Stamford, Conn., Richard and Stephanie Janosko of Norwalk, Conn., Gerald and Lori Janosko of Milford, Conn., Max Tomayko of Swartz Creek, Mich., Joan Janosko of Bridgeport, Conn., and Ann Janosko of Fairfield, Conn.; and multiple beloved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his stepmother, Albertha Gallant; a sister, Eileen Jacques; and a brother, James Gallant.