Obituary: Dr. Gerard Martin Girardin

Dr. Gerard Martin Girardin

BRANCHVILLE, N.J. – Dr. Gerard Martin Girardin, 72, a lifelong resident of Maine (until health issues brought him to New Jersey to live with his daughter and son-in-law in 2018), passed away, Thursday, July 15, 2021, at home in Branchville, N.J., surrounded by his loved ones. He was born July 22, 1948, in Farmington, Maine, the son of Gerard Joseph Girardin and Fernande (Filteau) Girardin. He was a 1966 graduate of Livermore Falls High School. He continued his education at the University of Maine – Orono with a B.S. in Zoological Sciences and went on to pursue a professional degree in the field of Dentistry at SUNY Buffalo. On June 6, 1970 he married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Murphy. He served as a dentist in the U.S. Army from 1974 to 1976 in Fort Greely, Alaska. After his military service, Gerard returned home with his family to resume his life in Maine and to begin his practice in Jay, and later Livermore Falls, where he practiced for 40 years as a dentist until his retirement in 2015.Gerard enjoyed spending time with his family and hiking and photographing all the Highest Peaks in New England. When he first visited New Jersey and learned the highest point was only 1,803 feet above sea level, he laughed and said he’d skip that one! When Gerard moved to New Jersey with his daughter Heide and son-in-law, Erik and their three rescue dogs, he experienced the true love of “man’s best friend” when the Shar-Pei Mix, Fuggles “adopted” Gerard as “his person.” Fuggles, Thor and Citra watched over Gerard and stayed by his side throughout his last moments.Gerard is survived by his daughter, Heide and her husband Erik Hassing of Branchville, New Jersey; his four siblings Marguerite “Peggy” and Robert Jones of Redmond, Oregon; Anita Mercier, of Wells; Richard and Bonita Girardin of Monmouth; Annette Girardin of Jay; sisters-in-law, Gayle and husband Jim Long of Livermore Falls; and Wendy Murphy of Canton, ME, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Paul and Roger Girardin, his son Erik in 2014 and wife Sharon in 2018. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, July 29, at FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. Private interment at Moose Hill Cemetery, 31 Record Road, Livermore Falls, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: http://www.jdrf.org