Gerald D. GALLANT

Gerald D. Gallant, 68, of Smethport, Pa., formerly of Milford, died July 14, 2005, at his residence following a lengthy illness. Mr. Gallant was born Dec. 28, 1936, in Milford, N.H., son of Henry Gallant of Nashua, and the late Helen (Gaudreau) Gallant. He had resided in Smethport since 1985.He was the husband of Mary Johnson Fortune, whom he married Feb. 22, 1969, in Newport.Mr. Gallant was a 1956 graduate of Wilton High School. He served with the Army 1956-59, having served in Beirut, Lebanon and Germany as a Green Beret and paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne.He was a life member of the Smethport VFW Post 2497 and a 20-year member of the Smethport American Legion Post 138. He enjoyed collecting guns and going to gun shows.Following his military service, Mr. Gallant was employed in road construction. From 1970 to 1985, he was employed as a linesman and cable splicer for the New England Telephone Co. After moving to Pennsylvania, he was employed by New Bethlehem Burial Co., Penn Hills Country Club and the Ethan Allen Furniture Co. in Eldred, Pa., before retiring.Besides his mother, Mr. Gallant was predeceased by his stepfather, Joe Fay.In additon to his wife and his father, survivors include a son, Gerald Gallant Jr. of Plantation, Fla.; a daughter, Michelle Gallant of South Lyndeborough; two stepsons, Joseph Fortune of Ferrisburg, Vt., and Al Fortune of Putney, Vt.; a stepdaughter, Marsha Killian of Tulsa, Okla.; a granddaughter; seven stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; a brother, Richard Gallant of New Haven, Conn.; two half-brothers, Joe Fay of Syracuse, N.Y., and Dosithe Fay of Greenfield; and a half-sister, Jane Byrd of Tampa, Fla.The Frame Funeral Home in Eldred, Pa., was in charge of arrangements.