Gilbert Philip Chouinard

Gilbert P. Chouinard, 95, of Hudson, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, after a long illness. On his 90th birthday, he famously declared that he’d live to 100, and if not for his illness, there's no doubt he would have kept that promise.

Born on June 14, 1930, in Salem, Massachusetts, Gilbert was the fifth of seven children of John and Eva (Bosse) Chouinard. He came of age during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped his resilience, resourcefulness, and lifelong appreciation for hard work. He earned a degree in engineering from Northeastern University and went on to found Industrial Distributors in 1977, a business he proudly built from the ground up.

Gilbert married the love of his life, Mona (Jalbert) Chouinard, with whom he shared 65 joyful years. Together they raised three sons, and created a home filled with laughter, mischief, and unconditional love. Mona affectionately called him Mon Chou, “My Little Cabbage”, and he carried that tenderness into every role he played: husband, father, Pepere, Grand Pepere, friend.

His family and friends remember him for his contagious laughter, twinkling eyes, and a sense of humor that could light up any room. As one granddaughter said, “He never met a moment he couldn’t brighten.” For Gilbert, everything was always “good”, and he meant it.

A man young at heart, Gilbert embraced life’s pleasures and adventures. He loved oysters, cruises to Bermuda, casinos, and country music line dancing. At the age of 86, he took to the stage with his granddaughter with Nashua’s Actorsingers in Spamalot, playing “Sir Not Appearing”, and later in a production of Sister Act, as none other than “the Pope.”

Gilbert is survived by his sister, Lorraine (Chouinard) Slattery; his sons Philip and Rene; daughters-in-law Sue, Karen, and Pattie; eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Mona; his son Daniel; and his siblings Adrien, Conrad, Albert, Lucien, and Maurice.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Kathryn’s Church, 4 Dracut Road, Hudson, NH, on July 31, 2025, at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Gilbert by sharing a story, a laugh, or a toast in his memory. He would have liked that.