FARMINGTON — Eugene “Gene” R. Pomerleau Jr., 89, a longtime resident of Knapp Street, Livermore Falls, died Sunday, April 8, at Franklin Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was born Feb. 16, 1923, in Livermore Falls, the son of Eugene and Alma Rose (Pomerleau) Pomerleau. He was a 1941 graduate of Jay High School. Following graduation in 1941, Gene went to work for IP working until his enlistment in the U.S. Army. He served in the European Theatre during World War II in the medical corp; this is when met his future wife, Eileen McGlaughlin of Ireland. Gene and Eileen were married in 1944 in Ireland.

Upon returning after the war, Gene went back to work for IP at the Otis and Androscoggin Mills in Jay, working for the company as a paper inspector until his retirement in 1986. Gene also owned and operated a flooring installation business.

In 1964, while on vacation to visit Eileen’s family in Connecticut, the family met with tragedy when they were in an automobile accident in Massachusetts; four of their children were killed, Dan, Maureen “Pinky,” Peter and Paul. Only Gene, Eileen and their son, John, survived the accident.

Although they went on with their lives, the loss left an imprint that would never be forgotten within their family and also the community. Gene later lost his wife in 1983, and his son, John in 2005, after battles with cancer.

Gene’s faith helped him to continue on following his losses. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church and member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Frank L. Mitchell VFW Post 3335 of Jay; and the IP Quarter Century Club. He enjoyed his camp on Round Pond and time spent with his family.

He is survived by his grandchildren, Lisa Pomerleau of Lebanon, Cyndy Pattershall and her husband, Kevin and Michael Pomerleau, all of Sanford; great-grandchildren, Corey, Bryan, Zachary, Sierra, Tyler and Aaron; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Pomerleau of North Berwick; brothers, Norman Pomerleau and his wife, Honey, of Jay and Anthony “Tony” Pomerleau of Jay; sisters, Vivian Burhoe of Jay, Pauline Jepson and her husband, Harland, of Wilton and Geraldine Bibeau and her husband, Rene, of Jay; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Eileen; his children, Dan, Maureen, Peter, Paul and John Pomerleau; brothers, Roland and Richard Pomerleau; sisters, Jeannette Alice Garrow and Virginia Pomerleau; sister-in-law, Christine Pomerleau; brother-in-law, Bryce Burhoe; longtime companion, Lucille Chretien in 2000; and companion, Lorraine Sampson in 2008.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.