Gerard J. Dubeau

Jerry J. Dubeau, 69, of Rutland, Vermont, passed away on July 30, 2025 at his residence after a long courageous battle with a variety of health problems.  Jerry passed peacefully at 7:11 pm with his sisters and brother-in-law all praying by his side.

Born on July 31, 1956 in Rutland VT.  He was the son of Arthur Edward and Roseanne (Donahue) Dubeau.

He spent his childhood growing up in Rutland, graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in 1974, and obtained his Associates Degree in Visual Arts from a New Orleans, LA College.  He was very proud of his Irish and Canadian French heritage.  Jerry was married in 1982, and had a sacred but brief marriage.  Following his Catholic tradition, he maintained his loyalty to that vow and never remarried. This most likely  contributed to his heartfelt  writing style,  and  "blues" talent, among his many roles.

Jerry was an avid musician beginning with some friends during his youth at MSJ.  Jerry started making his first few dollars as a musician at the age of 14 on the drums after studying for three years with a European immigrant master, named Napoleon Ianni.  Three years later he switched to keyboards when he received a Wurlitzer electric piano for High School graduation. He helped found the country/rock bands,  "Tiger Rose' and "Spider" ... and after, combining forces with another country/rock combo called Seabird which had relocated to Vermont from Virginia Beach. Jerry continued to work steadily in clubs and as a top-call opening concert act as a member of the Seabird band until the mid 1980s.  He proved to be an asset on the road and ended up going on to work with Jeannie C. Riley, Donna Fargo, Stonewall Jackson, Jo-El Sonnier and many others. Nashville is also where he hooked up with Sandra Wright and became a member of her Soul Kitchen. He also toured Europe with Fishheads & Rice and contributed two songs which he sang on their Appaloosa Records CD "Something Smells Fishy."  He later accepted a club gig offer on Bourbon St. in New Orleans in 1996 and lived in the Big Easy for close to a decade. He began honing his songwriting skills, since his first effort, "Live for Today" was presented to "frat rats" in 1975.

In a recent conversation with his long time friend, Jeannie C. (Riley) Starnes,  she recounted some of their happy times. She respected and enjoyed his versatility and heartfelt style on the keyboards, and they played some of his original songs, including one based on his love of Jones'Doughnuts, with a line about  "rolling a doughnut up a hill...", which really tickled her.   And she prayed on the phone with him for an extended time...

As a  renowned trivia buff with a wealth of knowledge,  Jerry enjoyed tv game shows, and  was a significant force in local trivia competitions right up until recent weeks. He had important loyal  family and a  "since kindergarten' friend to thank for that, such  Blessings!!!

He loved spending time with family and friends.  A kind and easy going person he will be missed by all who knew him.  He enjoyed his many adventures though he was happiest when he spent time in Rutland with family and old friends.  In recent years he struggled with ill health, though rarely complaining of pain.

Jerry was predeceased by his mother and father and brother Eddie.  He is survived by his sisters Ann Dubeau, and Alice (Dubeau) Brown, Brother-in-law Charlie, all of Rutland, VT; as well as  Nieces,: Rose, Theresa, Judy, Cathy, and Brigid, nephews: Craig, Ben, Joe, and Mike; and dear spouses and Grand nieces; Maisie, Leana, , and  Monica and Grand nephews; Declan, Cosmo, Xander, and Casey.

Funeral Services will be held at Christ the King Church in Rutland on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 11:00am.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Following the burial service there will be a reception in Engle Hall at Christ the King Church.

Many of Jerry's musical friends and musicians will be presenting a memorial in his honor at a later date.

“In lieu of flowers", please honor Jerry’s memory by having a Mass said for him at Christ the King Parish,  or Donations may be mailed to Christ the King school or Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland, VT.