Gerald Roland Trottier

Gerald Roland Trottier, "Jerry" to all his family and friends, passed away in Sacramento, CA on April 7, 2017. He was born in Northbridge, MA on December 20, 1941, the second child of Dorothy Alice (Nadeau) and Roland Joseph Trottier. In 1953 the family drove across the country, seeking better opportunities and better education for their children. Jerry graduated from La Salle High School in Pasadena, CA and California State University, Los Angeles. He obtained his CPA license and within a few years was Controller for Diet Rite Cola in Oakland. He moved to Coca Cola of Southern Oregon as Controller, and spent the last 17 years of his work life as Operations Director of Maita Distributors in Redwood City. Jerry is survived his wife, Kelly Trottier; two sons, Spencer J. (Colleen) Trottier and Gregory A. (Monique) Peterson; two stepdaughters, Suzanne Johansen and Sally E. (Keoki) Ongies.; grandchildren, Ethan, Andrew and Emma Trottier, Cameron and Trevor Peterson, and Emma and Makenna Ongies. Also surviving him is his sister, Joanne Johnson, of Ventura CA and his brother, Ronald (Pat) Trottier of Kansas City, Missouri. He and his wife, Kelly, retired early and moved to Amador County in 1998, retiring fully to Pine Grove in 2001. In those 19 years they made many friends and lived life fully, traveling to destinations across the world. Jerry volunteered with Operation Care, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Main Street Theatreworks, was President of Amador Master Gardeners, and led the Prostate Cancer Support Group since 2006. He loved all sports, especially college basketball and anything his grandchildren participated in through school or club play. He was very proud of his family and enjoyed giving service in whatever way he could. Without fanfare, he gave blood and did apheresis for most of his adult life and was one of the highest donors on record at the Stanford Blood Bank. His blood saved the lives of several people, which brought him great satisfaction. Probably few people know that he studied many subjects on his own, developing a deep understanding and appreciation of ancient cultures, especially Mesoamerican and Native American cultures. He worked hard at staying healthy and in shape, which meant walking several miles most days around the area and riding his stationery bicycle about 50,000 miles over the years. Most people knew him as a great chef, who loved to make people happy by cooking them good food, and as a good, kind and loyal person. Private services will be held on Monday, April 17, 2017.