Gene Jacques, 73, of South Berwick, passed away on Thurs., Jan 26, 2012 at the Wentworth-Douglass Hospital with his family by his side. Gene was born in Melrose, Mass on January 20, 1939, the son of Muriel and Joseph Jacques. He lived with his grandparents Mildred and Charles Robbins, until 1958. He attended Northwood schools, graduating from Coe Brown Academy in 1957 with honors. He married Linda Gates, also of Northwood and moved to Dover, NH in 1959. He worked at Kidder Press and Moore Business Forms until he was selected in 1960 to attend the Engineering Drafting program at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In addition to training classes, he also attended evening engineering classes at the University of New Hampshire. After 7 years of engineering courses he passed the Engineering in Training exam through the State of Maine in 1968 and achieved the title of Naval Architect. At Portsmouth Naval Shipyard he became manager of the Planning Yard structural branch and during this time he also worked for SUBMEPP for five years. During his tenure he accomplished design work on fast attack submarines, the world’s fastest submarine, the world’s deepest diving submarine and transport vehicles for US Navy SEALS. He oversaw the installation and was in charge of the first Computer Aided Design system at the Shipyard. He received many awards during his 35 years and at his retirement received the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the highest award given to Navy Civilian employees and a letter of appreciation from NAVSEA PMS 395 for work on the ASDS Project. Gene was a member of the National Association of Naval Technical Supervision (NANTS) where he was chairman of the Legislature Committee, the Naval Civilian Managers Association (NCMA) and the Shipyard Employee Association. Gene also was a member of the Science Fair Committee where he assisted in judging local High School and Junior High Science Fairs. After retirement Gene worked with his brother at his auto body shop during which time he restored several collector cars. He then went to work for a Navy contractor, CACI. His primary work effort included many design tasks on the world’s deepest diving submarine. He was responsible for bringing in and working on many special projects for the Shipyard. He received an Employee of the Quarter Award and the Eagle Award for Technical Excellence. He worked for CACI for 11 years before becoming ill in 2007. He was a member of the First Parish Federated Church and during his years of membership he held positions of Chairman of the Board of Deacons and chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has been a member of St. John’s Lodge of Masons in South Berwick for 40 years. As a hobby, his passion was antique and classic cars. At the time of his death he stilled owned his first car, a 1940 Ford convertible along with several other collector cars. He also enjoyed restoring with his grandson, Sam, a 1973 Mustang. For many years he was a member of the Maine Obsolete Auto League, MOAL’s. He leaves his wife, Linda, of 54 years and their son Corey and wife Carol, of Saco and daughter Cristina and husband Jason King, of South Berwick, and 4 grandchildren; Samson and Erika King, and Margo and Mitchell Jacques. Also leaves one brother, David Jacques and partner Wanda of Inverness, Florida and five sisters: Eleanor Morrison and husband William of Madbury, NH, Marie White of Exeter, NH, Mildred James of Stratham NH, Annette Gibney and husband of Cecile of Exeter, NH, April Courtney and husband Jack of Londonderry NH, also a sister-in-law, Heidi Gates of Cape Neddick, ME and several nieces and nephews. Donations may be made in Gene’s name to Amy’s Treat PO Box 2234, Dover, NH 03821. Amy’s Treat is a nonprofit organization that provides transportation to Mass General and other treatment centers for Cancer Patients. Also they provide “treats” to Cancer patients – dinners out and sports events, etc. Amy’s Treat was a tremendous help to Gene and Linda. Donations may also be made to Leukemia Discovery and Treatment Fund, Mass General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. A funeral service will be held at 11:00am, on Tues., Jan. 31, 2012 at First Parish Federated Church, 150 South Main St., South Berwick, ME with Rev. Donna Muise, officiating. Interment will be in the spring of 2012. Arrangements are under the direction of Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover, NH. To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com