Gerald J. Olivier's Obituary
Gerald J. Olivier passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2022 in Covington, LA. He was born on August 16, 1927 in Gramercy, LA to Joseph Marcel Olivier and Marie Aglaé Kroll Olivier.
Gerry is survived by sisters-in-law, Mary and Belle and a host of nieces and nephews. He is also survived by an extended network of Northshore friends to whom he was affectionately known as Mr. Gerry.
Gerry is preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Mark, Claire Olivier Dicharry, Pliny, Benny, Guy and George.
Gerry developed an interest in radio as a young man and briefly had a radio repair business in the 1940s. After entering the army, he was assigned to the 13th air corp as a radio operator and served in the Philippines from 1945-1947. He remained active in radio and held a license as a radio operator for 70 years. He was instrumental in founding and directing the Northshore radio club. He even had a tower erected in his backyard to assist the growth of the group.
Upon returning to the mainland, Gerry moved to Madisonville, LA where he ran the projectors at the movie theatre in town while waiting for a job as a radio telegraph operator on a ship. He started working at the Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville, LA where he rose to Director of Maintenance. Gerry left the hospital to work for Jahncke Enterprises, the shipyard in Madisonville, in the dredging division. He worked on the dredges maintaining electrical and mechanical systems. During this time he bought a tugboat that was sunken in the Tchefuncta River. After refloating and repowering his little boat, as he referred to it, he worked jobs with it until selling it to the bridge building company. Gerry was involved in building and developing a machine to make suction dredges work more efficiently and it was patented. He subsequently returned to the Southeast Hospital as Director of Maintenance where he retired after 25 or more years. He was always doing his best for the patients and staff to make life better. The day after his retirement, Gerry returned to the hospital as a volunteer working as if he was still employed. He spent many hours on nights, weekends and even during hurricanes trying to keep things running smoothly and without interruption. Gerry volunteered for over 20 years.
Gerry never stopped learning. He studied many different kinds of systems and was very proficient in all. It didn’t matter if it was steam, electrical power distribution, electronics, diesel or gas engines, he was self taught, very motivated and wasn’t satisfied to just get things going again. It has to be repaired to his best ability no matter how long it took.
When the job offer came through for the telegraph operator position on the ship Gerry declined it. He did not want to leave the area that had found to his liking. He made many friends in town over the years. He was very talented at fixing things and word quickly spread that if something you had was broken, he could probably fix it. He was always ready to help anyone and never turned down a request to fix things no matter what was involved. Gerry was known not to charge any one for his time and many times paid for items out of his own pocket. He never wanted to take credit for helping people. He lived a very modest lifestyle and learning was his passion.
Gerry was devoted to his church, St. Anselm where he served in many capacities. He developed an extended family of Ostendorfs, Coopers, Bahams, Honeycutts and numerous others. He has remained close to all throughout these many years. All of whom became devoted attendees to Gerry in his declining health.
Gerry’s kindness and generosity returned many fold. You were lucky to have a friend and neighbor like him. Gerry truly made the world a better place.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 306 Main Street, Madisonville, LA on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376 River Road, Saint Benedict, LA 70457.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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