Gerald was born in Saco, Maine, Oct. 20, 1928, the son of Clyde E. and Verna M. Krause Mailman. He was raised in Saco and graduated from Thornton Academy Class of 1948. He enjoyed football, basketball and tinkering with gasoline engines. The latter provided him with an Indian motorcycle, Model T Ford and a 1931 Model A Ford Roadster, which he thoroughly enjoyed along with his high school friends.
Gerald worked for Ladd’s Dairy, Saco, while in high school and for two years after graduation. In 1950, he joined the U.S. Army, earned the rank of Staff Sargeant, was stationed in Germany and was in charge of an armored division motor pool. This is where he began his serious studies of mechanical repair. After serving his country, he attended and graduated from Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, South Portland, Maine.
In 1955, Gerald married Frances Tarazewich Gagne, together they raised her two sons, Robert and Richard. Soon after their marriage, the family moved to Seymour, Connecticut.
Gerald worked for Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Connecticut. On a transmission test stand within Sikorsky Aircraft, he assisted with the assembly and testing of the first turbine engine ever used in a helicopter.
In 1959, Gerald and his family moved back to Maine. He then started his own business in Portland (Mailman’s Service Station). He was quite successful and was well known for his honest business practices throughout greater Portland.
Gerald and family enjoyed summers at the family cottage located on Granny Kent Pond in Shapleigh, Maine. He and Frances also spent many winters in Florida. Gerald was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows.
Gerald was predeceased by his wife Frances V. Mailman, a son Robert, and his parents Clyde and Verna Krause Mailman and three brothers Raymond, Harold and Earl Mailman.
He is survived by son Richard Mailman and his wife Suzanne of Portland; two grandsons, Jonathan and Daniel; two great-grandsons, Tyler and Connor; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco, Maine, with a reception to follow at First Parish Congregational Church, Beach Street, Saco. Dennett Craig & Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main Street, Saco, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
For those who wish to make memorial contributions, donations may be made to the Animal Refuge League, 690 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092.
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