WESTBROOK – Gerhard “Gary” Pontau, 81, of Westbrook, died peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Gerhard was born on Aug. 9, 1942, in Portland, the son of Gerhard Pontau and Camilla (Fusco) Cilley. He grew up in Portland and graduated from Portland High School in 1961. He worked at Maine Beauty as a delivery driver and American Can before opening his own carpet business.

He had a passion for collecting model trains and building railways. He also enjoyed participating in weightlifting competitions, racing snowmobiles, ATV riding, hunting, playing cards, listening to music, spending time researching and playing games on his computer.

He was predeceased by his son, Gary Pontau; father, Gerhard Pontau, mother, Camilla Cilley, stepfather, Herbert Cilley; and half-sister, Patricia Porter.

Gerhard is survived by his former wife, Jeannette (Geary) Conley; daughters Catherine and her husband Michael Francoeur, of Windham, Julie and her husband Joseph Dugas, of Windham, Michelle and her husband Todd Arsenault, of Westbrook; six grandchildren, Joseph and Shawn Francoeur, Kayla (Dugas) and her husband Conor Donoghue, Joshua Dugas, Brittney and Courtney Arsenault; and half-brothers Bob Pontau, Mike Pontau, and Scott Pontau, all of Wiscasset.

A period of visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, followed by funeral service at 11 a.m. at A.T. Hutchins, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

To share memories of Gerhard or to leave the family an online condolence, please visit http://www.athutchins.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Gerhard’s name to St. Jude’s at:

Memorial and Honor Gifts

P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142

Memphis, TN 38148-0142

https://www.stjude.org/give/memorials-and-dedications.html