Page 5 - 1982 Plymouth Rotary Annual Report

Gerard J. Loiselle

Incoming President

Incoming Plymouth Rotary President Gerard has a wealth of leadership experience in
business and for community organizations.
"Jerry", as he prefers to be called, was born in Valley Field, Qu ebec, Canada, and
moved to Detroit with his fam ily at the age of five, completing his schooling in northwest
Detroit.
Although "Jerry's Bicycles" officially opened its doors on Grand River A venue in
Detroit in 1938, he operat ed a bike shop in his garage since the ripe old age of twelve. A long
with the Detroit store's continuous operation since 1938, he opened a second location in
Plymouth in August of 1974 and a t hi rd location in Livonia in June of 1982, and has grown
to be among the top Schwinn dealers in the country.
Sharing the same pat h of life fo r t he past forty years is his wife, Phyllis. The Loisel les
take great pride in their four ch ildren and nine beautiful grandchildren. Currently th ree of
the family members (Larry, Dan iel and Valerie) are active in the operation of the bicycle
business. His oldest son, Ron, is w ell known to Plymouth Rotary as a member, as a business
counselor and as a Plymouth Cit y Commissioner.
Since having joined the Pl ymouth Rotary in 1975, Jerry has held various positions
within our club. He is a past president of the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce
and has earned the "Businessman of the Year" award in Plymouth for 1977. He has held
the posts of President of the National Bicycle Dealers Association an d has twice served
terms as President of the Michigan Bicycle Dealers Association.
Jerry also participates as a member of various organizations. Among them are Plymouth
Chamber of Commerce, William Perritt Lodge, No. 524 F & AM, King Cyrus Chapter No.
133, RAM, Detroit Commandery No. 1, K.T., Moslem Temple Shrine, Scottish Rite Bodies
of the Valley of Detroit, Redford Shrine Club, Redford High-12, Aries Grotto, USPS and
Lakelands Golf Club. He attends the First United Methodist Church of Plymouth.
Although looking forward to challenges this office has to offer, he will find time to
pursue his favorite hobbies, golfing and fishing.

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