Gerard “Gerry” Ruel

WEST BOWDOIN – Gerard “Gerry” Ruel, 93, died peacefully surrounded by close family on March 6, 2024.

He was born in Lewiston, to Louise Briand and Henry Ruel on April 9, 1930. He is survived by his wife Doris Ouellette Ruel (married 71 years) and two children Diane Lauter and husband Dr. David Lauter of Eliot, and Ronald Ruel and wife Ann Ruel of The Villages, Fla. (formally of Harrison). He had three grandchildren: Michael Lauter and wife Carla Lauter of Lisbon; Sara Lauter and fiancé Phillip Dignard of Nottingham, N.H., and Rachel Ruel Karim and husband Mo Karim of Stuart, Fla., and one great-grandchild Quinn Lauter.

He was a graduate of Lewiston High school in 1949. He was also a sergeant in the National Guard 103rd Infantry.

He was an entrepreneur and had many successes including owning and managing Snowy White Linen Supply in Lewiston and managing White Cloud Linen and Kennebec Linen of Augusta. In the early ’70’s he purchased a parcel of land in West Bowdoin where he designed and constructed a 50-unit mobile home park called Pinewood Acres. When the park was completed, he personally constructed a cedar log home for his family, where he resided until the end.

In 1968 he bought Pine Island on Cobbossee Lake and constructed a family camp in 1969. He and his family and friends enjoyed many years summering on the island and snowmobiling in the winter. He always strived to have the fastest snowmobile. Before he purchased the island he had a cabin cruiser boat named the “G.D. DiRon”… short for Gerry, Dot, Diane and Ron… his family.

For 15 years, he and his wife Doris used to travel by car to Melbourne, Fla., (with their cats) where they had a retirement home.

The family would like to thank Horizons Living and Rehab Center in Brunswick for the superior care given to him in his last days.

Services will be held at a later date.

To leave a message in the family’s online guestbook, please visit http://www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner Street Auburn ME 04210, (207) 783-4585.