ALFRED (FRED) RAYMOND JOSEPH GAUTHIER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALFRED (FRED) RAYMOND JOSEPH GAUTHIER

December 27, 1935 – August 20, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Fred died peacefully at 88 years of age.

Fred was predeceased by his wife Anneliese in 2014. Left to mourn are his four sons Daniel (Elizabeth), Raymond (Nancy), Kenneth (Rose) and Steven; five grandchildren Dustin (Nicole), Matthew, Megan (Steve), Amy (Dustin) and Justin (Kat); three great-grandchildren Vaida, Chaise and Evelyn; and many nephews and nieces.

Fred was born in the St. Boniface Hospital and grew up in St. Boniface and Transcona. His early years were not easy, but he had some great memories of swimming across the river from St. Boniface to Riverview with friends, bicycling, and playing football for Holy Cross School. He left school early and worked at many jobs including helping to dig the basement of the St. Boniface Hospital addition, working in a print shop, delivering milk in Pine Falls and working at the pulp and paper mill in Pine Falls.

Fred joined the military in 1955 where he served two tours in Germany. It was during his first tour that Fred met the love of his life Anneliese who could not speak a word of English, so he learned how to speak German. They married and returned to Canada in 1959. Daniel was born shortly after arriving in Winnipeg. In 1964 Fred was posted back to Germany now with their three boys Dan, Ray and Ken in tow. While there Steve was born. In 1967 the family returned to Winnipeg.

Fred retired in 1977 after 23 years in the military. At the time he was stationed in Petawawa, Ontario and, once again, the family returned to Winnipeg. Fred started a new career with the City of Winnipeg in 1978, obtained his Fifth Class Power Engineer Certificate of Qualification in 1983, and worked another 19 years before retiring for good.

Fred enjoyed a lively social life with friends and family, playing card games, listening to music, whirling Anne up to dance as they were both light on their feet, and leading sing-a-longs with his guitar. He was an avid outdoorsman who took his family camping, and he supplied his youngest grandson Justin with much outdoor survival gear fostering an appreciation of the outdoors. He was also a skilled wood-worker and spent many hours making everything from cribbage pegs to building furniture for the family home. When his first grandchildren Dustin, Matt and Megan were born, Fred proudly built them child-sized furniture. He was filled with pride when his granddaughter Amy received her doctorate. Fred’s sons and their families were his greatest pride and joy, and he talked of them often.

During retirement Fred enjoyed jogging, cycling, skating and exercising. He visited his eldest son’s cottage at Nutimik Lake and fished, visited his sister out of town, and flew to his granddaughter Megan’s wedding on the east coast in 2018 where he met his great-grandchildren for the first time.

Until the last year of Fred’s life his home was a restful place to put one’s feet up and snack on ginger-snaps and tea surrounded by the photos and memories he and Anne created together. He was a movie and music buff, a fan of the Winnipeg Jets and the Bombers, and welcomed family to come share his simple pleasures and pizza. Fred’s easy sense of humor, perceptive wisdom, kindness, and generosity will all be deeply missed. We find comfort in knowing that Fred and Anne are together again.

A Celebration of Life to honor Fred Gauthier will be held at Friend’s Funeral Service on 2146 Main Street at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, with a reception to follow.

Tributes: friendsfs.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 24, 2024, Aug 24, 2024