Gerald J. Chessie

ShapleighGerald J. Chessie, 76, of Ferguson Rd. in Shapleigh died Monday morning March 11, 2002 at his home.Mr. Chessie was born on December 15, 1925 in Newmarket, New Brunswick. He was the son of the late James and Mary Essensea Chessie. It was in N.B. that he attended schools and was raised as a child growing up on the family farm where he worked as a logger.For many years Mr. Chessie worked at the Reynolds Machine Shop in Fort Fairfield, ME. He also worked for several years as an ironworker, machinist, and boiler operator at Pratt & Whitney in N. Berwick, where he retired from in 1982.Mr. Chessie was a communicant of Notre Dame R.C. Church of Springvale. He was a dedicated family man who taught his children many of his skills, life lessons, and a shared passion for camping and fishing. There have been many memories of trout dinners, laughing at campfires and sharing of stories at the headwaters of the Tobique, New Brunswick; which was a bonding experience for the entire family.During his lifelong battle with cancer Jerry enjoyed the simple things. He especially enjoyed the quiet moments with his family and friends. Family dinners, whether at home or an evening out were always special, and visits from his grandchildren, or a family pet always made his day.Predeceasing him is a sister Muriel Burgoyne and a nephew Harold Chessie.Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Mavis Estey Chessie of Shapleigh; two sons, Christopher and Martha Chessie and Stephen and Rosanne Chessie both of Shapleigh, a daughter Nicola and Douglas Roberts of Springvale, and brother Frank Chessie of Canada. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Sarah, Caleb, Meredith, Jonathan, a fifth grandchild due in August, and several nieces and nephews.Friends are invited to attend a memorial Mass at Notre Dame R.C. Church in Springvale on Thursday, March 14, 2002 at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in the spring of 2002 at the Notre Dame Cemetery, Springvale. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Visiting Nurse Service of S. Maine, 15 Industrial Park Rd. Saco, ME 04072, American Cancer Society,New England Division, 1 Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086, or The American Heart Association, 343 Gorham Rd., S. Portland, ME 04106.