Jerome Red Clement Cloutier

SOUTH PORTLAND - Jerome Red Clement Cloutier (87) of South Portland, died Friday, July 1, 2011, at Gosnell Hospice House with his loving family by his side. Red was born July 28, 1923, in Waterville, one of five children, to Clement and Angelina LeBrasseur Cloutier. Upon graduating from Waterville High School, Class of 1941, he immediately enlisted in the United States Navy serving as a Naval Aviator - thus igniting his life long passion for flying, aircraft, and adventure. He later transferred to the Army Air Corps, completing his military service during World War II as a tail gunner on the B24. Following his military service, Red worked as a lineman for New England Telephone Company/Verizon - retiring after 33 years of service. Red's passion for adventure and joy for life was widespread and covered many wild and exciting undertakings. These included but are not limited to bicycling from Maine to California in 55 days (at 63 years of age!), cycling across the Gaspe' Peninsula, and the country of France. At 66, he served as a working crew member on the HMS Bounty sailing from Malta to Portsmouth, UK. He also canoe adventured down the St. John and Dead Rivers. Holy Cross Church is where Red served as a communicant, lector, and volunteer for many years. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and was key in organizing the children's Christmas program for many years. He coached Little League and was an avid supporter of the South Portland High School football program. Red's proudest accomplishment was the raising of ten children with Virginia Peaslee Cloutier. He was predeceased by his parents, a daughter Kathleen Louise Cloutier, three sisters and a brother. Red is survived by his companion of many years, Patricia Darling of So. Portland; his five daughters and five sons: Jonna Johnsen and husband Marty of Bowdoinham, Margaret Pinky Karwowski and husband Paul of Topsham, Peter Cloutier and wife Christine of So. Portland, Christopher Cloutier and wife Lori of West Bath, Kevin Cloutier and wife Susan of Steep Falls, Patrick Cloutier and wife Michelle of Standish, Andrew Cloutier and companion Jodi Arsenault of So. Portland, Denise Barcomb and husband Dale of Washoe Valley, NV, Celeste Lowe and husband Colin of Newberry, FL, Paula Adams and husband John of Ocala, FL; 19 grandchildren and 29 great grand children. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 9:15am followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, Corner of Broadway Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland with Military Rites. Those who wish may make donations in Red's memory to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074. Online Condolences for Jerome Cloutier