Donald J. St. Gelais, 94, of Acushnet passed away Monday, August 24, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital, twenty-one days after the death of his beloved wife, Germaine (Parent) St. Gelais. The couple had a loving and adventure filled marriage of 69 years.
Born in New Bedford, a son of the late René and Ida (Laforest) St. Gelais, Donald was a lifelong area resident and a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet.
Mr. St. Gelais served in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War. He later worked for My Bread Bakery for 44 years, many in which he served as a supervisor.
Donald married the love of his life, Germaine, and was a loving and devoted father and grandfather. The couple loved to sing and dance with their family and were especially proud of their Rainbow Group family with whom they entertained in area nursing homes for many years.
Donald was also an influential member the Men of the Sacred Hearts of Fairhaven where he served as President for several decades.
Mr. St. Gelais was honored to be a 2019 recipient of the Marian Medal from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River. Nominated directly by his pastor at St. Francis Xavier Parish “to recognize his years of dedicated volunteer work, ministry, and quiet service to his local parish.”
He is survived by five children, Donald St. Gelais of Acushnet, Jeannine Cabral and her husband Michael of New Bedford, Robert St. Gelais and his wife Cheryl of Fairhaven, Michelle Alves and her husband Steven of Wareham, and Steven St. Gelais and his wife Maureen of Wareham; nine grandchildren Brett, Nicholas, Kristen, Jason, Jared, Shane, Courtney, Emily, and Jamison; also, eleven great grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Violet Martins and Roland St. Gelais, and the brother-in-law of Sr. Janine Parent of NY. Donald also has several nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. from the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in St. Francis Xavier Parish, 125 Main St., Acushnet. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery, Dartmouth St., New Bedford. Visitation will be Wednesday 4-6 p.m. with a rosary by the Men of Sacred Heart at 5:15pm. For online tribute/directions please visit: www.rock-funeralhome.com.
