1929 – 2021
Killingly, Connecticut – Gerard “Gerry” Edward Cinq Mars, 92, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021. Gerry was born on January 14, 1929 to Emelia Anne (Leboeuf) of Fortierville, Canada and Napoleon Joseph Cinq Mars of Gentilly, Canada. His family lived in West Springfield where Gerry attended public schools.
During the Korean War, Gerry served his country as a member of the US Army’s 2nd Armored Division stationed in Germany in 1951 and 1952. Following an honorable discharge, he worked in a Springfield auto body shop, inspiring a lifelong love of cars.
After his military service, Gerry used the GI Bill to attend American International College (AIC) in Springfield, then earned his Master’s Degree in Education from State Teachers College in Boston.
While at AIC, Gerry met the love of his life Annette Marie Christie. They were married on September 7, 1957 in Springfield. They lived in Boston while Annette completed her nursing degree and Gerry finished graduate school. In 1959 they moved to Killingly to raise their young family. Gerry and Annette enjoyed a beautiful life together for 26 years until her death in 1983.
Gerry began teaching in the newly built Harvard H. Ellis Technical School in the fall of 1959. Mr. Cinq Mars, as he was known by his students, taught History, Civics, English, and Economics for 30 years. He served as department head, senior class advisor, and faculty coordinator for the yearbook and student government. He cared about the school community and loved working with students.
Gerry was an active participant in the towns of Killingly and Brooklyn. He served on a commission to build affordable senior housing at Maple Courts and on a committee to renovate Brooklyn Middle School. For more than 20 years (18 years as Chairman), he served on Killingly’s Water Pollution Control Authority. He helped secure more than $30 million in State and Federal funding to upgrade aging sanitation lines and facilities, ensuring cleaner water in the Quinebaug River.
Gerry enjoyed traveling, woodworking, home renovations, breakfast with friends, and long conversations with his siblings, children, grandchildren, and friends, especially about politics and current events. He was a car enthusiast who followed the latest models and enjoyed visiting auto museums to view the classics.
Gerry was a long-time supporter of St. James Catholic Church and Friends of Assisi Food Pantry.
In the late 90’s, Gerry was fortunate to meet Faye P. Clapp. They enjoyed each other’s company for 15 wonderful years.
Gerry loved his family and will be dearly missed. He is survived by his children Laura Whittier, Michele Cinq Mars (John), Sarah Gretzky (James), and Peter Cinq Mars (Karen), and his grandchildren Kyle and Zoe Neil, Madison (Cameron) and Lexington Gretzky, Alexander (Sarah) and Gabrielle Cinq Mars, and his cherished siblings Theresa and Michael.
The public is welcome to join calling hours on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street in Putnam, CT from 3:30PM to 6:00PM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at St. James Catholic Church, 12 Franklin Street, Danielson, CT at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Friends of Assisi Food Pantry, 77 Water Street, Danielson, CT 06239. To send condolences, visit www.gilmanandvalade.com
Cheryl LaFlamme
So very sorry for your loss
Bob Kiley, Chair, Brooklyn WPCA
May the Lord embraced his sole. He was a caring man & very dedicated to public service to the communities he lived in. I have been honored to negotiate with him regarding his service to the Killingly WPCA.
Todd Dexter
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Class of “79.”
Jeff Deloge
Our condolences
Class of ’86
Sheila & Tom Dillon
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that Gerard is now at peace in Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Sheila & Tom
Rachael Johnston
To Mr. Cinq Mars’ family: I was very saddened to read of your dad’s passing. As you know, your dad was always interested in Real Estate. Over the past few years, he became a regular visitor to my office on Thursdays to talk Real Estate with me. He would always have a cut-out from the local newspaper and wanted to know where the advertised house was so he could do a drive by. He occasionally went to open houses and sometimes I would arrange for us to go in to see homes together. He also would frequently bring me house plans that he was interested in and ask my opinion on what I thought of the layout. Since I also live on Alexander’s Lake, our conversations were sometimes just about lake life. He was sharp, articulate and truly a gentleman. I (and my staff) will greatly miss my Thursday visitor…
Rebecca Smith
So sorry to hear of the sudden loss of Gerry Cinq Mars.
I remember Gerry mostly as Laura’s Dad. Annette and Gerry were friends with my parents, Elma and Matt Smith. Laura and I were pen pals after an early introduction.
Al Sylvestre
So sorry for your loss.
I was one of Mr, Cinq Mars’ students at HHERVTS from 1972-1976. I didn’t realize it at the time–like most adolescent males, I was quite clueless–but he would influence my world view and possibly my career choice in piblic service.
The most important lessons I learned from Mr. Cinq Mars (along with Mr. Smith) were about character, integrity, and standing up for what’s right. He led by example in those regards. I will always be grateful for the knowledge he imparted in the classroom and the life lesson he taught me by standing up for the class of 1976 and its right to choose..
May he rest in peace.
Al Sylvestre, AICP, class of 1976
Betsy Crayton
Dear Sarah and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I know how much you adored him. You always spoke so fondly of him back in the old college days. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Love,
Betsy & Mark Crayton
john grondahl
So very sorry for your loss.. I was one of his students at H.H.Ellis Tech from 1965 to 69.. He was a wonderful teacher.. May he forever rest in peace..
Gary Ayers
So sad to hear of Mr. CINQ Mars passing. He left an impression, positive thoughts with all who met him.
Gary Ayers, class of ’74.