By Ron P. Coderre

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin

On May 21, 2014 Putnam lost another member of its Greatest Generation with the passing of Gerard “Joe” Bousquet.  Keeping in mind Franklin’s quote the death of “Joe” Bousquet, if it had to occur, could not have been timed more perfectly.

As Americans celebrate Memorial Day, remembering those who have given their lives in the Great Wars or who have served to preserve the freedom we enjoy today, the vision of “Joe” Bousquet riding in Putnam’s annual parade will be indelibly etched in the memories of those who knew and loved him.

Each year Bousquet would humbly participate in the parade, riding in a convertible and waving to the people lining the streets.  It’s not that he required the notoriety, because everyone who knew him well will tell you that he never considered himself a hero though he was the recipient of the Silver Star for his service in WWII.

“Joe” Bousquet, known to many as “Chief,” was a few weeks away from celebrating his 90th birthday when he died.  Born in Putnam in 1924 he was a young man of 18 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  Two years later, he was part of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Army Division that on the urging of General Dwight D. Eisenhower invaded Normandy on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and a day now known and honored as “D-Day.”

Although his obituary says he was a Rifleman, stories that have been passed on relate that he was one of the men responsible for laying communications lines across the beach head in the face of one of the fiercest onslaughts in military history.

He later was part of the U.S. Army that drove across Europe, including Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Germany culminating in the ultimate surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945.  But to those who knew “Chief” these heroics were not something he spoke about openly, like so many of the men of his generation.  He only felt he was doing his part of his patriotic duty to his country.

Following the war, Bousquet assumed his place in the fabric of his country and his community of Putnam.  There are many memories of this American hero that go beyond the Memorial Day Parade.  Memories that will now be something of the past but that will be cherished by his family and legion of friends. 

We’ll remember “Joe” Bousquet as a man of faith who communed with his God every Saturday at the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Visitation Church.

He’ll be remembered at the Knights of Columbus where he organized the golf league and headed up the annual Christmas Appeal to raise funds to purchase toys for kids.  (A memo to the Knights, it might be a fitting tribute to call the Christmas Appeal or K of C Golf League in memory of “Joe” Bousquet.)

He’ll be remembered as the owner, with his wife Sylvia of 55 years, of Joe’s Oil Service.  And as tales are told, it was not unusual during the cold winter days for “Joe” to deliver oil, at no cost, to a family that could not afford to pay for the fuel.  Part of his makeup as a good Christian person.

He’ll be remembered for the good times at his cottage on Quaddick Lake.  And the friendly poker games where his favorite saying was, “Trips to win.”

He’ll be remembered as sitting quietly in the last row in the Putnam High School gym with his wife Sylvia and watching his daughters Sue and Leona play for the Clippers; his son Willie coach the Clipper men and women; his granddaughters Stephanie and Brittany play for the Lady Clippers.

But most of all he’ll be remembered as a good man who was a hero but never acted like a hero.  Like so many others he was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and UConn athletic teams.  He loved to play golf.  He loved spending leisure time with his family and friends.  He enjoyed life and always enjoyed a good laugh.  He was a regular guy who never considered himself to be special despite his serve to his country.

At his request, everyone who attended his funeral and burial at St. Mary Cemetery was asked to drop a golf ball into his burial vault.  There were also many tear drops that accompanied the golf balls as mourners passed his vault.

Another member of the dwindling number of America’s “Greatest Generation” has been laid to rest in the person of Gerard “Joe” Bousquet.  He won’t be forgotten.  Remember him and say “thank you” every time you see an American flag.

God bless Gerard “Joe” “Chief” Bousquet.

 

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