Gerard Alphonse Gobeille

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - Gerard Alphonse Gobeille. 92, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2008, He was born on October 11, 1915, in Springfield, MA, son of the late Pierre and Valinda Bourcier Gobeille. Gerry attended Cathedral High School in Springfield, where he was a prominent athlete and extraordinary scholar. He was All Western Mass. in football and was inducted into the Cathedral High School Sports Hall Of Fame in 2005. He continued his studies at Ottawa University after receiving both an academic and football scholarship, and became a distinguished member of the debating team, winning many medals and awards until his graduation summa cum laude in 1938.

In 1942, he was drafted in to the US Army. In 1943 he graduated Officer's Candidate School and served in the regular Army until his retirement in 1970. During his career, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Stars, Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal. He served under General George Patton in WW II in the European Theater, in the Korean War, and in the early stages of Vietnam. He was stationed in Nimes, France, as a liaison officer and faculty advisor for the French Army's Antiaircraft and Guided Missile School. He also acted as advisor for the French Army and Air Force in Paris. Lt. Col. Gobeille served as Chief of the Interpreter/Translation Section of the NATO Military Committee's International Military Staff in Brussels and Washington, D.C.

Throughout his notable career, he was a French translator and instructor and, as a civilian, continued in this capacity with the US Joint Publications Research Service until his final retirement in December, 1986. In 1991, he and his beloved wife of 57 years, Helen, moved from Annandale, VA to Port Charlotte, Florida. She predeceased him in 2000, as did their son, Robert, in 1974, and three brothers, Robert, Lawrence, and Dr. Paul Gobeille.

He is survived by his son Richard Gobeille of Port Charlotte, who has lovingly cared for him since his stroke in 1993, a daughter, Elizabeth Gobeille-Rudolph of Dadeville, AL, Edward Gobeille, of Spotsylvania, VA, and James Gobeille of VA. He has three grandchildren, Stephanie Bauer and Carolin Hoffmann of Hamburg, Germany, and Zoe Gobeille of Spotsylvania, VA; and four great grandchildren, Hannah, Erik, Annika, and Maya. Also surviving him is his sister, Madeleine McKenna and her husband, Francis, of Springfield, MA, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on August 22, 2008 at 4 PM at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield, MA. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care

5955 Rand Blvd.

Sarasota, FL 343238

Please visit kays-ponger.com to leave the family condolences and to sign the online guestbook. Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, Port Charlotte Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.