Joseph Raymond Gerald "Gerry" Ouellette (August 14, 1934 – June 25, 1975) was a Canadian sport shooter and Olympic champion. He was born in Windsor, Ontario, and, at the age of 22, became the first Olympic gold medalists from the city. He won a gold medal in the Small-bore Rifle, prone event at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.[1][2]

"Gerry" Ouellette
Personal information
Full nameJoseph Raymond Gerald Ouellette
Born(1934-08-14)14 August 1934
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Died25 June 1975(1975-06-25) (aged 40)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Sport
SportSport shooting
Medal record
Men's shooting
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1956 Melbourne Small-bore rifle, prone

In 1952 he received the Lieutenant-Governor's Medal.[3]

He joined the Canadian Forces in 1955, and served for over 20 years. His success at shooting began in his Army Cadet days when he won numerous Cadet shooting titles. In 1959, he was Canada's sporting rifle champion and also represented Canada for a second time at the 1968 Summer Olympics.

A 45-cent Canadian postage stamp portraying Ouellette was issued July 8, 1996, as part of the series Canadian Olympic Gold Medallists.[4][5] He has also been inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.[6]

Ouellete was killed when the aircraft he was flying crashed near Leamington, Ontario, on June 25, 1975.

References

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  1. ^ "Gerry Ouellette". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  2. ^ Profile: "Gerry Ouellette" databaseOlympics.com (Retrieved on January 15, 2008)
  3. ^ The Olympians Among Us page 24, 25 ISBN 1-895305-37-3
  4. ^ Canada FDC #1608-1612 Canadian Olympic Gold Medallists
  5. ^ "Canada: 45c Gerald Ouellette, smallbore rifle, prone, 1956"[permanent dead link] (Retrieved on January 15, 2008)
  6. ^ The Olympians Among Us page 24,25 ISBN 1-895305-37-3