Eugene C. GAUTHIER

ESCANABA - Eugene C. "Gene" Gauthier, 73, of Escanaba, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2005, at the Lake Superior Hospice in Marquette following a cancer illness. Gene was born in Rhinelander, Wis. on August 26, 1931, the son of Joseph and Irene (Schalloch) Gauthier. He was raised in Rhinelander and graduated from Rhinelander High School, Class of 1949. He was a graduate of Badger Business College and later, attended Northern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the University of Connecticut's School of Executive Development. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1954 as a cryptographer while he was stationed in Germany. He received the National Defense Service Medal; good conduct medal and occupational Medal Germany.Gene enjoyed all types of hunting and fishing, golfing, and was a New York Yankees and Green Bay Packer fan.Gene's business career started in the savings and loan business while working for the Elder Agency in Marquette. When Detroit and Northern opened a branch office in Marquette in 1969, he became assistant manager and manager in 1971. In 1975, he transferred to Escanaba where he became branch manager until his retirement in 1989.He married Lucia M. Ceretto on May 31, 1980, in Baraga.He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Escanaba. He was active in the Escanaba Area Junior Hockey Association, serving as coach in the squirt division for eight years and six years on the Board of Directors, including four years as treasurer. He was a member of the Highland Golf Club where he served as vice president, and former member of the Kiwanis Club. He was also a player coach in the Marquette Industrial Keg League (softball). He was also a car dealer driver.Surviving are his wife, Lucia of Escanaba; son, Mark (Mary) Gauthier of Escanaba; daughter, Kimberly (Jon) Tapio of Republic; five grandchildren, Mark, Dylan and Taylor Gauthier, Jon and Emily Tapio; a sister, Eunice (George) Gregorich of Seminole, Fla.; a brother, Glen Gauthier of Ishpeming; three nephews, Joe (Debbie), John (Sheila) and Jim (Alice) Gregorich; cousins, Laurence Hanns and Margaret (Harry) Schondelmaier.Visitation will be held on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church.Funeral services will follow at 4 p.m. at the church with Pastor Peter Andersen officiating.Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery on Saturday at 11 a.m. Veteran's services will be held at that time.A luncheon will follow the funeral service on Friday at the church fellowship hall.Memorials may be made in Gene's name to the Delta County Cancer Alliance or OSF Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church.Messages of condolence may be sent to the Gauthier family at crawfordfuneral@chartermi.net. The Crawford Funeral Home assisted the family.