Joseph O. Gaudet

Joseph O. Gaudet Jr., 89, a resident of Dracut MA, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on February 28, 2022.


He was the beloved husband of Beverly A. (Nadeau) Gaudet, to whom he was married for 64 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children: Glenn D. Gaudet and his wife Catherine M. Gaudet of Cary NC, Lisa B. (Gaudet) Mastro and her husband Jim Mastro of Dover NH, Jeffrey S. Gaudet and his wife Clara Gaudet of Newington CT, and Timothy J. Gaudet and his wife Jeanine Gaudet of Dracut.

Joe was born in Lowell MA, Aug. 21, 1932, the son of the late J. Oliver Gaudet Sr. and Marguerite (Desmarais) Gaudet. He was the stepson of the late Estelle (Hervieux-Rousseau) Gaudet. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War, and after the Navy he completed a bachelor of science degree in electronic engineering at Lowell Technological Institute.

Joe worked as an electronics engineer, first at Sperry Gyroscope Company and then for many years at Raytheon Technologies Corporation. During this time, he worked on missile guidance systems for national defense, as well as on the Apollo spacecraft guidance system. He formed many friendships while at Raytheon that lasted throughout his career and through 30 years of retirement. He also enjoyed being a ski patroller for many years at the Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford MA.

After retirement, he enjoyed working a number of years with his brothers, niece, and nephews at the AutoServ family of car dealerships throughout New Hampshire. He also loved spending time at the vacation homes he built in Maine, traveling with his wife, and wintering in Florida with family and friends. His hobbies included boating, fishing (including ice-fishing), skiing, and golfing. He also spent many hours tinkering with and fixing things in his workshop. Through it all, his greatest joy came when spending time with his family.

Joe (who called his wife Sweets, and who his wife called Gus) loved to play a four-person card game called Ruff. When his wife helped him win a hand, he'd say "That's why I married you." He had a ready laugh and sometimes would regale the other players with a bawdy song he learned in the Navy. He loved to tell stories, too, like how he was once a crack harmonica player. Then he'd pick one up and demonstrate that he had clearly forgotten how.

Joe was a generous man, with a kind and accepting heart. He was a friend to everyone. If someone needed help, he was invariably the first to step up. In his later years, his willingness to help often exceeded his ability to do so, but that never stopped him from trying. He will be remembered as a wonderful and loving husband, adored father and grandfather, and great friend to many.

Besides his wife and four children and their spouses, he is survived by his ten grandchildren: Caroline Gaudet, Aaron Gaudet, Kylan Mastro, Emily Gaudet, Anna Gaudet, Joseph Gaudet, Nathan Gaudet, Matthew Gaudet, Zoey Gaudet, and Zachary Gaudet; his brother Paul J. Gaudet of Gilford NH and his wife Brigid Gaudet; his sister-in-law Christina Gaudet-Pelletier and her husband, Dave of Concord, NH; his step-sister Jeanine Teague of Lowell; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also the brother of the late Dennis J. Gaudet of Dracut and step-brother of the late Edwin (Ruth) Mason of Dracut.

Joseph's Life Celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 9th at the McKenna-Ouellette Funeral Home, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell, Massachusetts from 11:00 AM until 1:00PM. His funeral services will be at 1:45PM at the Chapel of St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford, Massachusetts.