Gerry ''Red'' Ouellette

Gerald "Red" Ouellette - Hall of Fame Hockey Legend and Champion Coach

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald "Red" Ouellette on October 6th, 2025. He passed away peacefully at Foyer Notre-Dame in St-Leonard, NB, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Canadian hockey history.  He was married to the former Lucille Beaulieu.  He was born at Grand Falls, NB in 1938. 

He was the son of the late Adrien E. Ouellette and Odélie Bernier.  He is survived by his wife Lucille and daughter Monique Williams of Fredericton, NB, who were the pillars of his life off the ice.  He is also survived by his grand-daughters, Laura Marino (Mike) and Sarah Williams of Halifax N.S., and their father, Richard Williams of Fredericton, his great-grandson Zachary Marino, his sister Nilda Morin of Grand Falls, his sisters-in-law Colette (late Claude "Gros-Coq" Ouellette and Jean-Guy Leclerc), and Elsie (late Roland "Ti-Coq" Ouellette) of Grand Falls, as well as many nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his son Jean-Marc Ouellette, his brothers and sisters, Louis "Disc", Claude "Gros-Coq", Roland "Ti-Coq", Rodolphe "Rudy", Maurice "Moe", Guildor, Ginette, Linda and Yvette.

Red adored his granddaughters and granddogs, and missed telling the girls stories and grandfather jokes.

Red was a distinguished Hall of Famer and one of the most successful coaches in Canadian Senior Hockey. A player who embodied an era defined by grit, toughness, and exceptional skill, he competed in the NHL during the Original Six era, when hockey demanded the utmost courage and resilience.

After winning the Calder Cup with the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League and the Adams Cup in the Central Hockey League with the Omaha Knights, Red joined the Campbellton Tigers of the North Shore New Brunswick Senior League in 1971, beginning a storied career that would bring glory to the city he loved. He led the Tigers to Hardy Cup championships in 1972, 1977, and 1988—the first as player-coach in 1972, demonstrating his prowess both on the ice and behind the bench, followed by triumphs as head coach in 1977 and 1988.

Beyond the rink, Red enriched the sporting life through his significant contributions to baseball and hockey in Campbellton.  After retiring to his native Grand Falls, he devoted countless hours to the Junior Golf Program, nurturing young golfers with the same passion and dedication that defined his legendary career.  Red's dedication, leadership, and championship spirit touched countless lives across Maritime sport. His legacy will endure in every young athlete he inspired, every team he led to victory, and every community he served.

Red was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and also of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday November 8, 2025 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm at The Golden Age Club located at 125 Manse Street, Grand Falls.  All are welcome.

Interment will be at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredericton where he will be laid to rest beside his son Jean-Marc in the Spring.

Rest in peace, Red. Your legacy lives on.

For those who wish, donations to the NB SPCA, the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family.

Arrangements are by O'Regan's Funeral Home Ltd.