Perley Francis Gallant

Perley Francis Gallant, 91, died Tues. afternoon, Oct. 5, 2010 at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville after a long battle with ill health. Perley was born Jan. 23, 1919, in North Vassalboro the son of the late John and Marie Jenness Gallant. He entered the U.S. Army Oct. 14, 1941 and served with the 1705th Ordinance Company in Africa, Italy and Sicily. He was in the service for four years, returning to civilian life Nov. 28, 1945. Perley worked for the American Woolen Co. in North Vassalboro for many years. He retired in 1968 due to health problems. Perley was a long-time member of the No. Vassalboro Volunteer Fire Dept. He was a member of the MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post in Winslow and St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Vassalboro. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent many hours with his children and grandchildren teaching them the ways and rules of good hunting and fishing. He was a past member of the Bangor Bottle Club and had a large personal collection. Perley will be remembered by many as always willing to help in any way he could. He was a good husband, father, grandfather and his storytelling was enjoyed by all who knew him. His latest favorite past-time was scratch tickets. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was predeceased by his afore mentioned parents; his uncle Pat; two brothers, John and Gilbert Gallant; and by a sister, Violette Labreck. Survivors include his wife of 63 years as of Oct. 11, 2010, Virginia Waldron Gallant; one son, Patrick John Gallant of Waterville; three daughters, Bonnie Goodwin and husband Clyde of Waterville, Wendy Savage of Vassalboro, Lynn Libby and husband Mark of Vassalboro; four grandchildren, Chad Goodwin, Troy Savage, Erica Pelotte, and Brett Libby; a niece, Nancy Gallant of Lewiston; and other nieces and nephews; a great niece, Cindy; a great granddaughter, Alyssa Pelotte; a great grandson, Caden. The family wants to thank all of his caretakers on Friendship Harbor at Mount St. Joseph for their care and kindness and a special thanks to the ''Big Guy''. also thanks to all those at CCU at Thayer Unit during his final days. Visiting hours will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Fri., Oct. 8, 2010 at the Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Sat., Oct. 9, 2010 at St. Bridget's, Main St., Vassalboro. Burial with Military Honors by Winslow VFW will follow in Village Cemetery in Vassalboro. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the American Lung Assoc. of Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330 or to the MacCrillis-Rousseau Post VFW, Veterans Dr., Winslow, ME 04901. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------