ROLAND GAUTHIER

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ROLAND GAUTHIER July 27, 1943 - March 17, 2013 It is with broken hearts we say "goodbye for now" to Rolly, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, who passed away much too soon on March 17, 2013 at the age of 69. He was predeceased by his parents Napoleon and Marie Gauthier, and his sister Terry, as well as his father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Esther Bourke, and brother-in-law Bradley. Rolly is survived and will be sadly missed by his wife of 47 years, Bev (nee Bourke), two sons Ken (Louise) and Dan (Melanie), and three grandchildren Jasmine, Tyler and Claire. He will also be fondly remembered by many siblings in his close-knit family including: Florence (Claude), Albert, Julie, Jeannette (Mark), Luc (Vernice), Yolande, Ray (Deb), Ron and Larry (Linda). Also left to mourn are Bev's siblings: Barb (Ray), Murray (Yvette) and Jay (Monique). "Uncle Rolly" will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews and their children. Rolly was born in Winnipeg and grew up in Ste. Genevieve and Lorette, MB before moving to Winnipeg as a teenager. It was there that he met the love of his life, Bev, when he was 18, and five years later they married and started a family. In 1974, after about 10 years working at Aroline Boat Company in St. Boniface, he left to become the foreman at Naden Boats in Vermilion Bay, ON and moved the family there from Winnipeg. In 1980, Rolly left Naden to work at the Dryden Paper Mill where he worked in the Shipping and Warehouse department until his retirement in 2004. Rolly loved the outdoors and was an avid angler and hunter growing up in rural Manitoba and continued this passion when he moved to Ontario. In 1979, he realized a life-long dream and purchased a home on the lake where he lived until the end. It was the site of countless family gatherings over the years and many good times by all who were there. Rolly was always the life of the party, the center of attention at these events and couldn't have been happier in that role. Later in life, Rolly and Bev enjoyed travelling around Canada and the US in their RV, searching for their next adventure and the nearest casino. In the summers, he enjoyed fishing out of his deluxe-equipped boat and would take anyone who asked out on the lake. He also loved spending time with his two sons and their families, always lending a hand when needed and playing with his beloved grandchildren. At Rolly's request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place and there will be an interment service at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Cemetery in Vermilion Bay at a later date. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Tamarack House Regional Cancer Accommodation Facility through Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 23, 2013