Jerome E. Gauthier, 87, of Brookfield, died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 9, 2023. He was the loving son of Hector L. Gauthier and Lyda M. LaFlamme, and most grateful stepson of James P. McGurn.
Born in Bennington, Vermont, he attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church and School and was in the parish Boy Scout Troup 45, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He spent two years at Saint Michael’s College in Winooki, Vermont, and Saint Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa, Canada, where he received his BA/BPh degree from the University of Ottawa.
In his earlier years, he served as a counselor at the Boy Scout Green Mountain Council Summer Camp. He worked at Southern Vermont Apple Orchard, Old Bennington Weavers and Benmont Papers.
In later years, he continued his career as an industrial specialist for the U.S. Navy Material Inspection Service and the DlA Contract Administration Service. He retired as a staff industrial specialist in 1991.
After his schooling, Jerry immediately joined the U.S. Marine Corps “for the discipline.” His boot camp training was at Paris Island, South Carolina, and he was subsequently assigned as an intelligence assistant to the Headquarters Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.
Jerry was with his unit in 1957 when they landed in Lebanon on a peacekeeping mission and served as the unit’s French translator. His unit was awarded for their participation in that peace effort.
Returning to the U.S., Jerry was transferred to the Marine Air Training Command, Naval Air Station in Glenview. While there, he frequently visited the USO in Chicago, where he met his future wife, Sylvia V. Wuensch. After four years in the USMC, Jerry was discharged as a lance corporal in 1961, receiving the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksmanship Award.
Jerry and Sylvia were married on Sept. 2, 1961 at Blessed Agnes Church in Chicago. They moved to Brookfield in 1964. For many years he was an active parishioner at St. Barbara Parish, where he served as a catechist, Eucharistic minister, minister to the sick, and adoration coordinator.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia (nee Wuensch) Gauthier; his children, Deborah (John) Parisi, Catherine (Steven) Gauthier-Nelson and Jerome M. Gauthier; his grandchildren, Ryan Parisi, Julia (Austin) Williamson and Siena Nelson; and many nephews and nieces.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Lorraine (Frederick) Young, Paul Gauthier, Jeanette (Francis) Paul and Doris Gauthier, who died two years before he was born.
A funeral Mass was celebrated May 16 at St. Barbara Church followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Barbara Catholic Church.
Hitzeman Funeral Home, Brookfield, handled arrangements.
Send sympathy cards to Hitzeman Funeral Home, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, 60513, c/o the Jerome Gauthier family.
