Gerard O. Gallant, 91, of Mattapoisett died December 24, 2012 at the Oaks Nursing Home after a period of declining health.
He was the husband of Irene M. (Bibeau) Gallant.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late William and Eva (Ethier) Gallant, he lived in New Bedford before moving to Mattapoisett in 1979.
Mr. Gallant was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett.
He was formerly employed as a firefighter on Ladder 4 at Station 8 with the New Bedford Fire Department for 31 years until his retirement.
Mr. Gallant served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and participated in the battles of Wake Island, Guam and Guadalcanal.
He was an unassuming, fun loving, hardworking man who enjoyed spending time with his family at many family functions and traveling in his younger years with his wife and relatives.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Oaks Nursing Home for their compassionate care.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Janine Lebeau and her husband Donald of Acushnet; 2 sons, Gerard Gallant and Paul Gallant and his wife Jean, all of New Bedford; 4 grandchildren, Christine Oliveira and her husband Roger, Matthew Gallant and his wife Danielle, Brian Gallant and Jeffrey Gallant and his wife Jennifer; 2 great-grandchildren, Taylor Oliveira and Matthew Oliveira; several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Florian Gallant and Robert Gallant.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, Friday 9-10:30 AM prior to the Mass. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.