Lester J Gauthier

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held. at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at St. Alphonsus Church in Maurice for Lester “L.J.” Gauthier, Sr. Reverend O Joseph Breaux will celebrate the mass. Internment will take place at St. Alphonsus Mausoleum. Loving patriarch of a large family and longtime resident of Maurice, La., he died in the early morning hours on December 23rd. He devoted his life to the Lord, his family, his country, and his community and lived and died with dignity. He was known for his expertise as a Bourree player, with his picture appearing in the game’s official rule book, and his remarkable ability to grow food in his garden and greenhouse to nourish his family and those who once came from miles away for his produce. Born on Feb. 17, 1924, in St. Martinville, La., he later resided on Long Plantation in Lafayette, attended Verot School, and graduated from Milton High School. A U.S. Navy and World War II veteran, he served as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate First Class at Coronado Air Base in San Diego and was on the island of Saipan when the atomic bomb was dropped. He continued his career as an engineering assistant at Gulf States Utilities, where he worked for 38 years until his retirement in 1985. Believing in the importance of civic responsibility, he was instrumental in forming the Maurice Volunteer Fire Department by donating its first dollar, served as Maurice alderman for three terms and was a member of the Vermilion Parish Democratic Executive Committee. He belonged to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Parish, where he served as a Eucharistic minister. His legacy of working hard, being frugal, treating others with fairness, being tolerant, and loving his family will carry on with his seven children and their families. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Joyce Broussard Gauthier; children, Lester J. Gauthier Jr. and his wife Irene; Janice Weber; Martin Gauthier and his wife Pam; Angela Landry and her husband Benny; Olivia Steflik and her husband Martin; Gordon Gauthier and his wife Tamara; and Steven Gauthier and his wife Vivian; as well as grandchildren, Roxanne C. Hare, Hans Breaux, Michelle Gauthier, Camille Gauthier, Michael Gauthier, Seth Gauthier, Brittany G. Cahill, Cody Gauthier, Stacy Steflik, Alexis Gauthier, Hannah Gauthier, Chloe Gauthier, Shelby Gauthier, Jacob Gauthier, Nicholas Gauthier, Trinity Gauthier, Caleb Gauthier, Nathan Gauthier; great-grandchildren, Courtney Hare, Kade Gauthier, Owen Cahill, Preston Cahill, and Annabel Cahill; he is also survived by one brother, Bernard Gauthier; and one sister, Jeanette Gauthier Domingue; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Felix Gauthier and Rita Bernard Gauthier; his son-in-law Wayne Weber; siblings, Carol Gauthier, Harold Gauthier, and Anna Belle Gauthier Picard and a grandchild, Damien Clements. Pallbearers will be Lester Gauthier, Jr., Gordon Gauthier, Steven Gauthier, Hans Breaux, Seth Gauthier, and Chris Hare. Honorary pallbearers will be Martin Gauthier, Bernard Gauthier, Benny Landry, Von Magee, Jack Domingue, and Martin Steflik. Visitation will take place on Monday, December 23, 2012 from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm. A rosary will be recited in the funeral home at 6:00 pm Monday evening. The funeral home will reopen on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 8:00 am until time service at Delhomme Funeral Home in Maurice. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Ave, Maurice, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Lester J Gauthier

February 17, 1924 - December 23, 2013