Obituary of Gerald E. Ballanger

Gerald E. Ballanger

Brewer – Gerald E. “Jerry” Ballanger, 88, died Feb. 27, 2018 in Bangor after a brief illness. He was born Oct 8, 1929 in Brewer, the son of Ernest and Marion (Martin) Ballanger.

Jerry graduated with honors from Bangor High School in 1948 where he was a Junior Exhibition Speaker and received honors for his senior essay. He graduated from Husson College in 1950 in business education and received a bachelors and masters degree from the Univ. of Maine. He began his teaching career in 1950 teaching elementary education in Moose River, East Corinth, Glenburn and Beal Business College teaching different grade levels and acting briefly as assistant principal. Jerry was employed by the Bangor School Dept for 35 years. He taught math and social studies at Fifth St. Junior High until transferring to Bangor High School where he was a guidance counselor for 30 years and also served as a class advisor and a substitute in the Distributive Education Program. Jerry’s teaching career included working in the Adult Education as an instructor, program coordinator and counselor in the diploma program. He was also the test administration supervisor for Educational Testing Service and American College Testing. He retired in July of 1989 and was appointed a Faculty Associate  in the College of Education at the Univ. of Maine as a supervisor of student teachers. Jerry enjoyed his time breeding, showing and training German shepherds and was registered with the AKC as a professional handler. On Thanksgiving Day in 1959, Jerry married Bertha (Simpson) and they had a long and happy union of almost 25 years. Bertha died in 1984 of cancer and during their life together, they enjoyed planning, building and decorating several houses in Bangor and Hermon. They also collected antiques and Flow Blue ironstone from the Victorian era.  In 1986, Jerry married Pauline (Dyer) Bruns, a former high school friend and they enjoyed 31 years of marriage together.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Pauline of Brewer are two children, Jay Ballanger and Laurie Larson and her husband, Patrick; two grandchildren, Sarah and Erin Larson; four stepchildren and many step grandchildren and great grandchildren from the Bruns Family; three sisters, Mae Alexander, Janet Brown and Barbara Johns and one brother, James Ballanger and his wife, Rebecca; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Jerry’s family gratefully thanks the Hospice of Eastern Maine and Palliative care at EMMC for their dedicated support during his final days.

Family and friends may visit 4 – 6 PM Monday, March 5, 2018 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. A service honoring Jerry’s life will be held 11 AM Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at All Souls Congregational Church, 10 Broadway, Bangor with Rev. Chad Poland, pastor and teacher, presiding. A reception in the church center will be immediately afterward and burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Bangor will be at a later date. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Gerald Ballanger Scholarship Fund, c/o Heather Hopkins, Bangor High School, 885 Broadway, Bangor, ME  04401. Messages and memories may be shared with his family at kileyandfoley.com.