George A. Lemieux, Jr.

HAVERHILL - George A. Lemieux, Jr., devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, entered the gates of Heaven on May 20, 2024, after a courageous, 5-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Springfield, Massachusets on October 3, 1950, George learned the love of the outdoors from his parents, George A. Lemieux Sr. and Madeline (Kelley) Lemieux with their large fruit, vegetable, and flower garden, often preserving the autumn harvest to enjoy throughout the long Massachusetts winters. George was an avid conservationist, learning to hunt, fish, and appreciate the great outdoors from his father. George had many fond memories of spending summer vacations on Cape Cod with his wife, children, and parents, in a cottage on the beach in N. Truro. Those summer days were filled with digging for clams at low tide, fishing for bluefish and flounder, enjoying a homecooked meal in the evenings, and all that a family vacation in a humble cottage on the Atlantic could offer.

After high school graduation, George attended the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. It was there that he met his future wife, fellow clarinetist, educator, and mother of his children, Elizabeth (Pezzee) Lemieux. Upon graduation, George and Elizabeth married on July 14, 1972, and started their young family. George and Elizabeth purchased their first home in Bradford, MA in 1980.
George had many passions in life which began with his long career in Music Education for Billerica Public Schools. As the High School Band Director, George inspired many young musicians through marching band competitions, parades, trips to Walt Disney World, concerts, and lessons. After retiring as the Director of the Marching Band, George dedicated his career to cultivating and inspiring elementary instrumental musicians. His former students may fondly remember the “Twinkie Challenge”. His ability to relate and work with young children was in great contrast to his large frame, booming voice, and boisterous passion for life. Everyone lucky enough to have been taught by George will remember that working hard, high standards, and persistence are the ingredients for success in any area of life.

George loved the White Mountains of New Hampshire and spent time with his family camping in the Twin Mountains during the summer months. As a true angler, George and his son rose in the darkness of morning, launching their canoe on hidden mountain lakes in search of rainbow trout, the sounds of loons in the mist, and if they were lucky, a moose wading and grazing at the shoreline. Harvesting wild blueberries for pancakes on the griddle, taking icy cold mountain baths, and hiking the many picturesque trails with his family and beloved dog, are the memories we hold dear from this time. George’s love for the mountains was only contested by his love for the ocean, spending summer months in Wells, ME, fishing offshore, eating seafood every night, and finishing the day with George’s favorite: ice cream from a local ice cream stand. While the family enjoyed eating at local restaurants on vacation, George was a passionate and adventurous cook (the attempt at freshwater eel for dinner is still a little bit of a sore subject for his children!) and he loved cooking big meals during the holidays, entertaining friends, and the perfect pairing of wine with every meal.

Like all of us, George’s life had many chapters. After a brief battle with leukemia and 26 years of marriage, George held Elizabeth’s hand as she climbed the stairs to Eternal Salvation on February 14, 1999. It was hard to comprehend God’s will at that time, however, George slowly began to rebuild a life and begin a new chapter with his chocolate lab Coco at his side. It’s not often one finds true love twice in a lifetime, but George was blessed with a second wife of 20 years, Diane (Margaretos) Lemieux, who is now grieving this tremendous loss and facing a new chapter. Diane and George prided themselves in the care of their Bradford home with beautiful flowers on the deck every summer and George’s homemade wreaths and zeal for decorating at Christmas time. George spent this next chapter loving his dogs, spending time with Diane, rooting for the New England Patriots, and visiting with his children and grandchildren during summer vacations and holidays.

After retiring from teaching, George pursued his lifelong passion for deep sea fishing, attained his Captain’s license, and began striper, cod/haddock, and tuna charters on the Lady Diane, his prized steel fishing vessel docked in Cape Ann Marina in Gloucester. “Full Strike Anglers” was born and George loved the thrill of finding the fish for his charter guests, yelling exuberantly “Bites on!” and helping them to land their limits after a long day at sea. George loved taking Diane, his children, and grandchildren on the water, allowing them to steer the helm of the Lady Diane, and watching them raise their first fish from the ocean depths. In these years it was fair to say that George lived, ate, and breathed the seafarer’s life. When he was not on the water he was planning for future charters, reading bite reports, and always watching the weather. He loved leaving the harbor with the sun’s burning embers slowly rising to the east and returning to the harbor, giant tuna in tow, while the sun settled in its evening resting spot on the western horizon. While Captain George’s mission was to have a tight line, there were no bad days on the ocean. Few fishermen ever return empty-handed, regardless of the bite.

In George’s final days, he was surrounded by his dedicated and loving wife, his children, the love and adoration of his grandchildren, and a visit from his newly rescued puppy, Ranger. George passed peacefully holding his stuffed dog, Midnight, who he carried with him through each hospital and nursing home stay, fooling many nurses and doctors into believing he had snuck a real dog into his room.

George’s friends and family are invited to celebrate George’s life and ascendance into Heaven with visitation being held on Thursday, May 23, in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to help find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org. For guestbook visit www.driscollcares.com

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