Gerard A. "Jerry" Chevrette

Needham – Mr. Gerard A. "Jerry" Chevrette, of Needham, formerly of Watertown and Waltham, died at The Linden in Dedham on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. He was 97.

Jerry was born in Watertown on January 15, 1924 to the late Archille and Ida (Fournier) Chevrette. A 1942 graduate of Watertown High School, Jerry, like so many brave young people of his era, quickly transitioned from child to adult seemingly overnight. Shortly after his graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy, entering into active service in October, 1942 and trained as an aviator.

After the war he returned home and met his future bride and the love of his life, Irene M. LaCroix. The pair married in Saint-Jean-l'Évangéliste Church in Newton on May 8, 1948 and spent sixty-seven wonderful years together until her death in 2016. Jerry and Irene lived in Newton, Watertown, and later in Waltham where they moved in 1984.

Jerry's call to serve did not stop after his return home from the service. He joined the Watertown Fire Department in March, 1957 and retired in July, 1987 after thirty devoted years to the community. He had worked many days and nights as a fire fighter-mechanician for the department.

Retirement afforded Jerry and Irene the opportunity to travel the country and around the world. The tires of their famous family camper touched pavement in almost every state, and they made countless happy memories during their once-in-a-lifetime trips.

Jerry is reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife, Irene, and his brothers and sisters, the late Edward, Henry, and Alfred Chevrette, Arlene Sears, and Claire LeBlanc.

He leaves his children, Louise M. Baduski and her husband, Edwin, of Marlborough, Denise C. Arsenault and her husband, William, of Framingham and Sandy C. Hughes of Needham; his grandchildren, Kristen Duehring, Elise Miranda, Courtney Hughes, Matthew Hughes and Renée Dempsey; his great-grandchildren, Victoria Peters, Jack Duehring, Vivian Miranda, Hailey Hughes, and Alexandra and Reagan Dempsey. He also leaves his sister, Jean Strickland of Hopkinton and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jerry's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday, April 8th from 4 to 7 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

To view Jerry's Funeral Mass please visit https://my.gather.app/remember/gerard-chevrette on Friday, April 9th at 10:30 a.m.

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A note from the funeral home pursuant to Governor Baker's recent order:

During times of uncertainty and crisis one might wonder what to do at the loss of a loved one or how to show support to a friend given the limitations that the pandemic continues to present.

Telephone your friend to offer words of love and support, give them a virtual hug, drop something delicious by the house, leave a condolence on the funeral home website, make a donation to their favored charity, send a card or flowers or have a Mass said, remain in touch, and above all else . . . say prayers for the deceased and their family and the world during this difficult and unprecedented time.

These simple gifts of sympathy and charity are more valuable than you will ever know.

When public wakes are held capacity limits mean that your visit should be brief to allow other guests time to say hello to the family. Only members of the immediate family remain present throughout.

It goes without saying that people who have lost someone are especially sensitive and understanding to the concerns that some of their own family members and friends may have about visiting any public places right now. If this does not feel like the right time for you to venture out please don't.

Space limitations also mean that funeral services inside the funeral home and in many places of worship will also be private. Most services, at the family's request, will also be livestreamed and recorded for future viewing. The link to access the channel is found at the bottom of the obituary notice online.

Cemetery services are included in the current outdoor gathering limit of twenty-five people.

During any events, public or private, common sense precautions prevail. That includes masks covering your nose and mouth, staying with your household group throughout the services and keeping a sensible distance.

Thank you . . . again . . . for your patience and understanding.