Girard 'Jerry' Lemoine

PRINCETON – Girard “Jerry” Lemoine, 81, of Princeton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at UMass Memorial Healthcare – University Campus. Born in Uxbridge on June 1, 1935, Jerry was the son of Eli and Helen (Trombly) Lemoine and later lived in Princeton. Jerry was raised in Grafton where he attended public schools. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and honorably served his country from 1954 to 1976. During his 22 years in the military, Jerry served as a Technical Sargent during both the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. Jerry was a critical airman during the initial setup of an overt strategic airlift and operation called “Operation Nickel Grass” conducted by the United States to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. In 1963, Jerry married the love of his life, Rita Raymond, and together they raised their family while traveling around the world. They settled and made their home in Princeton where they spent the following 37 years together. After Rita’s passing in 2014, Jerry remained in Princeton and lovingly embraced his children and grandchildren who have been his inspiration and strength. Jerry received his associates degree from Fisher College later in life and worked many years at Holden District Hospital and Worcester State Hospital. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and attended as many of their activities as he could. He discovered golf in his 50’s, and enjoyed sharing his golfing knowledge with his grandchildren at Clearview Golf Course in Millbury. Besides golf, his other interests included playing cards, going to the casino, and working on jigsaw puzzles. He had a fun-loving sense of humor and enjoyed telling a good joke. Jerry appreciated the simple gifts of life, held a strong allegiance to his country and remained loyal to his beliefs. His life was centered on family and faith, and was a devoted member of Prince of Peace Church in Princeton. Jerry and Rita enjoyed 50 years together until her passing. He is survived by three sons, John A. Lemoine and his wife, Kathy of Princeton and their three children, Patrick, Abbey, and Elizabeth, Mark R. Lemoine and his wife, Gail of Holden and their son, Michael, and Joel G. Lemoine and his children, Kevin, Jaimee, and Sean; his daughter, Kristin M. Lemoine – Tupper and her husband, Robert of Holden and their children, Cameron, Madelyn, and Elijah; a brother, Andre Lemoine of S. Grafton; and many nephews and nieces. Besides his wife, Jerry is predeceased by four brothers, Lucien, Alfred, Edward and Joseph Lemoine, and two sisters, Natalie Roy and Lucille Auger. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jerry’s family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, at Prince of Peace Church, 1 Worcester Rd., Princeton. Interment will follow with military honors at Fairview Cemetery in S. Grafton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605 ( www.veteransinc.org ). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit our "guest book" on this page.