Gervais, Donald Rudolph “Pee Wee” 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Cecile C. (Chevalier) Gervais who he was married to for 72 years. Born on the family farm in Coventry, he was the son of the late Francois X. and Arcelia (Plante) Gervais. He was the loving father of Raymond Gervais (Rosalie) of Johnston, Dianne Challberg (Kurt) of Exeter and David Gervais (Elaine) of Coventry.
His grandchildren are Raymond, Jr., Stephanie, Kristen, Michael, Cherie, Daniel, Katherine.
His great grandchildren are Brey-Leigh, Julia, Megan, Emma, Kalie, Jenna, Alex, Andrew, Amanda and Aaron. He is also survived by great-great grandson Weston.
He was the brother of Cecile Lavoie and of the late Annette Grygiel, Blanche Langlais, Etiennette (Elaine) Gervais, Emilienne Gervais, Yvette Gervais, Yvonne Gervais, Rita Gervais, Emile Gervais and Alcide Gervais.
Rudy or Pee Wee, the name most knew him by, was a life-long communicant at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Coventry.
He was employed for many years as a lace weaver by various lace manufacturing companies in the Pawtuxet Valley, including Valley Lace Co. Prior to his retirement in 1991, he worked 14 years for Electric Boat, Quonset Point, RI in the transportation department as a rigger, forklift operator and truck driver.
Rudy very much enjoyed the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and shared that with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing musical instruments. He was very good at playing the piano, guitar, banjo, violin and harmonica, all of which he taught himself to play.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 11:00 am in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 6 St. Vincent de Paul St. in Coventry. Face masks, social distance, and limited seating must be observed. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Greenwich will be private. Arrangements are with Iannotti Funeral Home at MAPLE ROOT, 2000 Nooseneck Hill Rd., (Rte.3) Coventry. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) would be appreciated. iannottifh.com
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