Jerome P. "Jerry" Gamache, 64, of Dartmouth passed away peacefully on March 18, 2017 at St. Anne's Hospital after a long battle with dementia.

He was the loving husband of Annette D. (Couture) Gamache for 29 years. Born in Fall River, the son of the late Oliver and Marie (Cyr) Gamache, he lived in Fall River for many years before moving to Dartmouth in 1999.

Jerome worked for the Fall River Police Department for 30 years. He rose from rank of Community Service Officer until his retirement as Captain. He also had been an instructor for the Plymouth Police Academy and had been a state firearms instructor. He was an active communicant of St. Mary's Church in Dartmouth, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister.

He was a continual learner throughout his life. He received two Master's degrees, one in Criminal Justice from Salve Regina University and the other in Business Administration and Sociology from Babson College.

He was an avid collector of stamps, coins, and lighthouses. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Annette, especially vacations to Maine, sailing, shopping, and lighthouse venturing. Jerry was an active member of the Boy Scouts for many years, and lived the motto: “Be Prepared.”

As a boy, he was a member of Troop 76, and earned many awards including the Ad Altare Dei (Catholic Award), Mile Swim, and its highest award, Eagle Scout. As a youth, Jerry served as a member of the Camp Noquochoke staff for two summers, and, as an adult, remained active for several years working with leaders in the program and helping young Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

In his last years, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Annette, caregiver John Costa, Jr., and their many friends. He will be missed by all who knew him and loved him. He will be remembered as a warm and generous man who lived by the Christian values of unselfish acts of kindness to anyone in need.

Annette would like to extend special thanks, to the physicians, nurses, staff of St. Anne's Hospital and to the pastoral care department for their compassionate care shown to Jerry.

He is survived by his loving wife, Annette, and his dear friend and caregiver, John Costa, Jr. of Dartmouth. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Elizabeth Whalen Brown. His funeral will be held on March 24 at 8:45 a.m. from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, followed by his funeral mass at St. Mary's Parish Center, Dartmouth at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be on March 23 from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Mary's Church Renovation Fund, 783 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748. For directions and guestbook, visit saundersdwyer.com.