Gerard Desforges MD passed away at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital on October 4, 2011 at the age of 92. Dr. Desforges was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 25, 1919 to the late Amedie and Delia (LaFond) Desforges. He was raised in Springfield, was graduated from Classical High School 1938; from American International College in Springfield 1942, Cum Laude; and from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston 1945. While at Tufts Medical he met his future wife, Jane Fay. American International College recognized Dr. Desforges in 1967 with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and again in 1972 with an Honorary Doctor of Science. He was one of the first Eagle Scouts in Springfield and held several jobs, some concurrently, through high school and college. He fondly recalled working with his brother Leonard in a machine shop and clerking at Kennedy's Butter & Egg Store. Dr. Desforges went on to serve as a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps, first at the Oliver General Hospital, Orthopedic Surgery and Pathology 1946-1947, and then in the European Theatre 1947-1948. After his discharge from the Army he married Jane Mary Fay MD on September 11, 1948 to begin 63 years together. He completed internships at the Mallory Institute of Pathology and the First Surgical Service, along with his surgical residency, at Boston City Hospital. He served as chief resident surgeon at "The City" and became a board certified thoracic surgeon in 1955. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the American College of Cardiology. He was a founding member of Cardio Thoracic Associates Inc. in Medford and was affiliated with numerous hospitals in the Boston area, including Lawrence Memorial where he had served as President of the Staff; as well as Winchester; Whidden; New England Memorial; Malden; Boston City; and St. Elizabeth's in Brighton. Dr. Desforges also published academically during his career and was appointed Assistant Clinical Professor in Thoracic Surgery at Tufts University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Medicine. He was a founding member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and was a member of several medical societies including the American Medical Association, Massachusetts Medical Society and American Association of Thoracic Surgery. Gerry was a resident of Melrose from 1950 onward and was a devoted member of St. Mary's Church. He was a dedicated husband and father who cherished the times spent on Lake Avenue with his family and close friends. Dr. Desforges enjoyed traveling extensively in the United States and Europe on family vacations; particularly memorable were trips to France (where he could speak the language of his upbringing); a cross-country camping trip to the Rocky Mountains; and tenting through a gale in Nova Scotia. In later years he looked after his vegetable garden with the care and diligence of an attending surgeon. Owing to the era in which he grew up, he had a special fondness for the music of the "Greatest Generation" and an abiding empathy for and generosity toward those in need. He had an enthusiastic appreciation for the arts and good food. Always eager to learn, he took college courses well into his 80's and enjoyed worldwide Elderhostel explorations with his wife. In addition to the decades of devotion to his wife Jane, Gerry was the loving and always encouraging father of the late Gerard Joseph "Mike" Desforges, and Jane A. "Janie" Desforges and her husband Prof. Michael White of Providence, RI. He was the youngest of his own family and loving brother of the late Rachel, Bertha, Irene Desforges, Loretta Menard, Annette Gleason and Leonard Arthur Desforges. He was the loving brother-in-law of Mrs. Leonard A. Desforges (Helen) of West Springfield. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St. Melrose, on Wednesday, October 12th at 9:00AM. A funeral Mass to honor and celebrate Gerard's life will be held at St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 10AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours on Tuesday from 4:00-8:00PM. Interment with military honors at Wyoming Cemetery in Melrose will follow the funeral Mass. The Desforges family suggests memorial contributions may be made in the name of Gerard Desforges MD to one of the following; Tufts University School of Medicine, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, 170 Governors Ave, Medford, MA 02155 or American International College, 1000 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109.