"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality." This quote, by Emily Dickinson, emphasizes the idea that love transcends life and death and creates a lasting bond. Gerald, known as Jerry, was loved in life and death by our small close family. Gerald was a strong, proud, hardworking man throughout his life with a passion for gardening, birdwatching, antiquing, and possessed impressive clock smith skills. He was a beloved neighbor and devoted husband who cared for his wife unwaveringly and truly loved his family.

This is the legacy of Gerald P. Ayotte, who left us on June 12, 2024. His time with us ended shortly after the death of his loving and devoted wife, Joyce C. Ayotte. It gives us comfort in knowing he would be eager to be back with his wife whom he adored. One of his last wishes was to be buried with her for his final resting place. He never was the same after her passing in September 2024. Jerry would express his deep pain of losing his wife and express how much he missed her. Jerry sadly passed away suffering from a broken heart. He expressed he had nothing left to live for without her and wanted nothing more than to be back with her. That is a true and admirable love, one that we should all wish to attain.

Jerry was a stubborn man of very few words as those close to him know. He was a simple man, humble, and a little ornery at times, however, he took nothing but good care of his wife and made sure that she always had what she needed, that their house was tidy, and they had a hot meal to eat, followed at the end of the evening with a glass of ginger brandy. He lived his life in comforting simplicity with those he chose to keep close to him. He loved to tell stories of his life as a boy and look at family pictures with a twinkle in his eye and share fond memories of his parents whom he missed dearly since their passing. Jerry joined our family many years ago by choice after marrying Joyce and always made sure he showed how much he appreciated us being in his life during our many visits, phone calls and holidays spent together as a family. Every birthday and Father’s Day was celebrated with his favorite ice cream cake and visits to Longhorn Steakhouse where he would get a nice glass of red wine with his dinner. We couldn't be more blessed and thankful to have spent time making memories, taking many pictures and for having such a caring soul in our lives.

Gerald is survived by his children, sibling, niece, nephew, grandchildren, great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Gerald is predeceased by his parents Philippe E. Ayotte and Claire Deragon Ayotte and a nephew. Gerald peacefully passed surrounded by his closest family including his granddaughter Denise Belisle and his great grandson Michael Belisle. Per his specific wishes, Gerald was laid to rest beside his wife in a private tranquil service surrounded by his close family including his stepchildren, Paul Meyette and Carol Bedford, his granddaughters, Denise Belisle and Christine Bedford, his great grandsons, Michael and Jack Belisle, his great granddaughter, Samantha Bedford and his great great granddaughter, Ashly Morales-Marquez. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider spending time with a loved one who needs some TLC, repair broken family relationships and ensure your loved ones are not forgotten in their advancing years. Time passes like sand through an hourglass and cannot be retrieved.