By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WESTWOOD - Gerald A. Bouchard, an ophthalmologist who practiced in this neighborhood for 31 years, died of cancer of the small intestine Sept. 10 at Mercy Franciscan Hospital Western Hills.

The Westwood resident was 66.

During his battle with cancer, Dr. Bouchard continued his regular routine, seeing patients up until four months ago and taking his two grandchildren to the movies.

"He was the kindest person you ever knew," said his son Bernard Bouchard of Bridgetown. "He always put his family first. He took his grandkids to see Finding Nemo, and the next day he went into the hospital - and never got out.

"My father was an excellent role model. He instilled the value of a good education and strong work ethic, while showing us how to enjoy the things we earned."

Dr. Bouchard shared his Westwood office with his wife, dermatologist Marcelle T. ZalZal-Bouchard. The couple met at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit while they were both doing residencies.

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Dr. Bouchard graduated from Sacred Heart College there in 1958 and the University of Ottawa School of Medicine in 1963.

He completed an internship at Long Island Hospital in New York and went on to an ophthalmology residency at Henry Ford Hospital

He married in 1966 and moved to Cincinnati, where his wife's relatives lived. They bought their house in Westwood in 1968 and opened the office on Glenmore Avenue in Westwood in 1972. His wife continues to practice dermatology there.

Dr. Bouchard loved hockey and was a member of the Medical Council of Canada.

In addition to his wife and son Bernard, survivors include: another son, Roger Bouchard of Westwood; his mother, Rose Bouchard of Ottawa, Ontario; a sister, Jeannette Bouchard, also of Ottawa; a brother, Raymond Bouchard of Montreal, Quebec; and two grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was at St. Joseph (new) Cemetery in Price Hill.

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E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com