Gerard “Jerry” E. Poirier, 89, died peacefully Sunday, September 30, 2012, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home after a brief illness with his loving family by his side. His wife of 57 years, Rita Marie (Caron) Poirier, died in 2006. He leaves his five children, Cheryl Poirier-Goguen and her husband Dr. Jon Goguen and Dr. Stephen G. Poirier and his wife Angela, all of Holden, Deborah Poirier-Dunkleberger and her husband William of Durango, CO, Christine Massucco and her husband Mel of Worcester, and John Poirier and his wife Laura of Millbury; nine grandchildren, Jackson, Amber, Michelle, Jason, Andrew, Dylan, Jennifer, William, and Liam. He also leaves his sister, Diane Giguere of Worcester.
     He was born in Montreal, Canada, son of Josephine A. (Bourbonnais) and Alphonse Poirier, Jr. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Army. He served in the 14th Medical Depot Co., in China, Burma, and India and was honorably discharged at the rank of Tec 5. He enjoyed traveling throughout the US and Canada with his wife as an honorary member of the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club. Jerry was a co-owner of J & D Judo Club of Worcester. He held the level of Black Belt and was a Judo instructor for the YWCA and Worcester Police Department. He was a Worcester County Deputy Sheriff and the oldest member of the Worcester Pistol & Rifle Club in Boylston. He was an expert marksman and horseman. One of his greatest passions was horseback riding. He worked as a machinist and retired from Cincinnati Milacron, the former Heald Machine Co, where he was a member of the Heald Machine Company pistol team. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, and will be greatly missed. He will also be missed by his companion Geraldine McCaffrey, her family, and all his friends at Colony Apartments, with whom he spent his last few years.
     Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 5, from Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, with a 10:00 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary, 25 Fales Street. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours will be held at Nordgren Memorial Chapel on Thursday, Oct. 4, from 5-8 p.m.