Gaston Henri Jacqmart

Gaston passed away Thursday the 28th of July 2016, at Clarebridge of Portage. He was born December 10, 1915 in Nantes, France, the oldest of two children of Gaston Jacqmart and Regine Landru. He met and married his wife Christiane in 1939, shortly before the onset of World War 2. When it ended, 5 yrs later, he came home and met for the first time, his only daughter, Chantal, born while he was fighting in the French army. The family settled in Nantes until 1978, when he retired from his position in the French lRS. That year, he and Christiane immigrated to the U.S., to be near Chantal and her family. While in Kalamazoo, he was able to pursue his great love for music as a violinist in the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra until the age of 80. He also performed in other orchestras in the area and in Chamber Music groups. lt was a privilege and honor to hear him play at his grand-daughter Natalie's wedding. Being blessed with excellent health, he and his wife were able to pursue numerous common interests, such as attending cultural events in Kalamazoo and areas nearby. Vacations spent with the family every spring, in the Florida Keys was something he greatly enjoyed...Gaston was a colorful and intelligent man with a spirit of adventure and a great sense of humor. He was a doting father, grand-father and great grand-father. He and his wife had celebrated their 70th anniversary prior to her passing in 2010. He will be missed greatly...Gaston was preceded in death by his wife, Christiane, a brother, Claude Jacqmart of Nantes, France and a grandson, Shawn Brown of Coral Springs, Florida. Surviving are: a daughter, Chantal Hanel (Jacqmart); a grand-daughter, Natalie Rose (Brown); four great-grandchildren, Mike, loey, Aaron and Madison; and a sister-in-law, Michele Berdeaux of Reims, France. There will be no visitation or memorial services. Contributions may be made to the Great Lakes Caring Hospice.