Obituary for Gerald J. “Jerry” Lussier
Gerald J. “Jerry” Lussier, 78, a well-known local builder and businessman, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 18, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Martha A. (Giannoccari) Lussier.
Jerry was born in Lowell on December 15, 1944 the fifth of eight children of the late Leo V. and Claire D. (Marquis) Lussier.
He was raised and educated in Dracut and was a communicant of St. Francis Church. Dracut is also where he worked for most of his life.
Jerry started out in business as a floor layer for several stores in Lowell and Nashua. It was there that he met his longtime business partner, and friend, Douglas F. Dooley. They began Jerry and Doug’s Floors, and took jobs all over New England installing tile and linoleum. They soon ventured out and in 1969, built and sold their first home on Ruth Ave in Lowell. Over the next 50 years, Draco Homes, Inc. built hundreds of homes, developed numerous commercial properties and owned and operated several businesses throughout the Merrimack Valley. In the 80’s, Jerry and Doug built the Dracut Tennis Center and Plaza, where they both could be found hitting the courts before relaxing at the Match Point Lounge, one of several restaurants they owned over the years. Jerry and Doug have a loyal staff, including Carolyn, their close friend and office manager of 50 years, and Chris, who has been with them since 1986.
Jerry was an active member of the community and was very involved with his hometown of Dracut. He was the past president of the Northeast Builders Association, a former Corporator for the Lowell Five Bank and a member of Vesper Country Club in Tyngsborough.
Jerry had four children and three step-children. As a parent, he preached the importance of hard work and effort. He was very patient, but also stern and set high expectations for his kids.
Jerry and Martha also enjoyed very strong long-term friendships including Doug (Douglas) and Gail Dooley, Carolyn and Forest Dostaler, Judith (Judy) and Paul Enis, Stephen (Steve) and MaryAnn Coravos. They shared many holidays, celebrations and vacations to favorite locales such as Maine, Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
In his free time, Jerry loved golf, tennis, boating, snorkeling, hunting, fishing, playing table card games, and solving challenging puzzles. He could be found every Tuesday at Vesper Country Club, playing with his friends John Walsh or Stevie Coravos, and his son Brian. He also belonged to The Strand Country Club near his residence in Naples, Florida, where he also enjoyed fishing the association’s ponds. He cherished summers with family at his second home of over 35 years at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, ME. For many years the July 4th party in Maine was a big annual event. Dozens of friends and family members would converge on Goose Rocks Beach for three days of sun and fun. He was a snowbird later in life, spending winters at the family home in Naples, FL.
Jerry had a strong intellect and sharp wit and was a tinkerer that always kept busy. In the summer, he could be found at his GRB home tending the flower beds, trying to eradicate the local chipmunk population, or some other home project.
Jerry spent the last few years of his life under the care of his loving wife Martha. His charming smile and funny jokes made him a joy to be around, even in his later years. The effects of Lewy Body Dementia slowly drained him of his normal day to day abilities. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home, with Martha by his side.
In addition to his loving wife Martha, Jerry is survived by his children, Gerald J. Lussier, Jr. and his wife Debra of Dracut, Christine R. Savard and her husband Bruce of Dracut, Brian L. Lussier and his wife Lynne of Dracut and Kevin D. Lussier and his wife Sarah of Bonnie Lake, WA; his step children, Lyle C. Core and his wife Gina of Medway, Lee A. Core and his wife Eliza of Needham and Dr. Leighton J. Core and his wife Kim of Coventry, CT; fourteen grandchildren, Sarah Jusczak and her husband Wesley, Craig Lussier and his wife Courtney, Jason Savard, Eric Savard and his wife Meghan, Brendan, Megan, Justin and Alison Lussier, Brandi, Ethan, Charlie, Micah, Anderson, and Kayleigh Core; his great-grandchildren, Grant, Lucille, Waylon and Annabel; his siblings, Robert Lussier and his wife Emma, Dorothy Nordstrom and her late husband Ronald and Jacqueline Cardoza and her husband Raymond; his in-laws, Linda Bosse and her husband Paul, Mary Jeanne Giannoccari and her fiancé Kurt Legner, Lisa DeCola and her late husband Paul, Janet Poulin and her husband Frank, Robin Lussier and Nancy Lussier. Jerry also leaves many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was the brother of the late Pauline, Victor, Ronald and Edward Lussier.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 3-7 pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 o’clock at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Rd., Dracut. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Jerry’s name may be made to your favored charity.
Jerry was born in Lowell on December 15, 1944 the fifth of eight children of the late Leo V. and Claire D. (Marquis) Lussier.
He was raised and educated in Dracut and was a communicant of St. Francis Church. Dracut is also where he worked for most of his life.
Jerry started out in business as a floor layer for several stores in Lowell and Nashua. It was there that he met his longtime business partner, and friend, Douglas F. Dooley. They began Jerry and Doug’s Floors, and took jobs all over New England installing tile and linoleum. They soon ventured out and in 1969, built and sold their first home on Ruth Ave in Lowell. Over the next 50 years, Draco Homes, Inc. built hundreds of homes, developed numerous commercial properties and owned and operated several businesses throughout the Merrimack Valley. In the 80’s, Jerry and Doug built the Dracut Tennis Center and Plaza, where they both could be found hitting the courts before relaxing at the Match Point Lounge, one of several restaurants they owned over the years. Jerry and Doug have a loyal staff, including Carolyn, their close friend and office manager of 50 years, and Chris, who has been with them since 1986.
Jerry was an active member of the community and was very involved with his hometown of Dracut. He was the past president of the Northeast Builders Association, a former Corporator for the Lowell Five Bank and a member of Vesper Country Club in Tyngsborough.
Jerry had four children and three step-children. As a parent, he preached the importance of hard work and effort. He was very patient, but also stern and set high expectations for his kids.
Jerry and Martha also enjoyed very strong long-term friendships including Doug (Douglas) and Gail Dooley, Carolyn and Forest Dostaler, Judith (Judy) and Paul Enis, Stephen (Steve) and MaryAnn Coravos. They shared many holidays, celebrations and vacations to favorite locales such as Maine, Florida, the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
In his free time, Jerry loved golf, tennis, boating, snorkeling, hunting, fishing, playing table card games, and solving challenging puzzles. He could be found every Tuesday at Vesper Country Club, playing with his friends John Walsh or Stevie Coravos, and his son Brian. He also belonged to The Strand Country Club near his residence in Naples, Florida, where he also enjoyed fishing the association’s ponds. He cherished summers with family at his second home of over 35 years at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, ME. For many years the July 4th party in Maine was a big annual event. Dozens of friends and family members would converge on Goose Rocks Beach for three days of sun and fun. He was a snowbird later in life, spending winters at the family home in Naples, FL.
Jerry had a strong intellect and sharp wit and was a tinkerer that always kept busy. In the summer, he could be found at his GRB home tending the flower beds, trying to eradicate the local chipmunk population, or some other home project.
Jerry spent the last few years of his life under the care of his loving wife Martha. His charming smile and funny jokes made him a joy to be around, even in his later years. The effects of Lewy Body Dementia slowly drained him of his normal day to day abilities. He passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home, with Martha by his side.
In addition to his loving wife Martha, Jerry is survived by his children, Gerald J. Lussier, Jr. and his wife Debra of Dracut, Christine R. Savard and her husband Bruce of Dracut, Brian L. Lussier and his wife Lynne of Dracut and Kevin D. Lussier and his wife Sarah of Bonnie Lake, WA; his step children, Lyle C. Core and his wife Gina of Medway, Lee A. Core and his wife Eliza of Needham and Dr. Leighton J. Core and his wife Kim of Coventry, CT; fourteen grandchildren, Sarah Jusczak and her husband Wesley, Craig Lussier and his wife Courtney, Jason Savard, Eric Savard and his wife Meghan, Brendan, Megan, Justin and Alison Lussier, Brandi, Ethan, Charlie, Micah, Anderson, and Kayleigh Core; his great-grandchildren, Grant, Lucille, Waylon and Annabel; his siblings, Robert Lussier and his wife Emma, Dorothy Nordstrom and her late husband Ronald and Jacqueline Cardoza and her husband Raymond; his in-laws, Linda Bosse and her husband Paul, Mary Jeanne Giannoccari and her fiancé Kurt Legner, Lisa DeCola and her late husband Paul, Janet Poulin and her husband Frank, Robin Lussier and Nancy Lussier. Jerry also leaves many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was the brother of the late Pauline, Victor, Ronald and Edward Lussier.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday from 3-7 pm at the DRACUT FUNERAL HOME, 2159 Lakeview Avenue, DRACUT. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 o’clock at St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Rd., Dracut. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Jerry’s name may be made to your favored charity.