Robert J. "Bob" Gaudette

Robert J. 'Bob' Gaudette -- loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather

LOWELL - Robert J. 'Bob' Gaudette, 92, a lifelong resident of Lowell, passed peacefully on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Lowell's D'Youville Senior Care.

The elder son of the late Wilfred J. and Obeline M. (Boisvert) Gaudette of Lowell, Mr. Gaudette was born on February 15, 1926. He graduated from St. Michael's Grammar School in Lowell.

Under the tutelage of his father -- a master craftsman -- Bob aspired to become a carpenter, by attending Lowell Trade School. However, on July 4,1941, Mr. Gaudette was given the opportunity to join the U.S. Postal Service, as a special delivery boy.

Riding a bicycle, throughout the city, Bob earned a 'hefty' 9-cents a letter.

Bob later worked as a letter carrier in Dracut, retiring in 1981 after 40 years of service.

All the while, and throughout his life, he continued to hone his carpentry skills in the footsteps and the shadow of his father.

In 1944, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WWII, before being honorably discharged on June 9, 1946.

Bob married Mary T. Beane on June 6, 1953, settling in the Christian Hill neighborhood in the Centralville section of Lowell, where together the couple raised six children, during their 65 years of marriage.

Mr. Gaudette was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He was a life-long communicant – either at St. Michael Church, or at St. Francis Church in Dracut.

Beyond Mr. Gaudette's devotion to his career and family, Bob enjoyed cooking at home, dining out, spending summers and entertaining friends at the family camp in N.H.'s Lakes Region, visiting New England state parks especially Hampton Beach. He was a great story-teller, a history buff, and loved popular music -- particularly from the Big Band era. In retirement, Bob and Mary, together with family and friends, travelled throughout the country, as well as to tropical vacation spots.

In addition to his beloved wife, Mary, Mr. Gaudette is survived by his daughter, Ann Marie Beaulieu and her husband Gary, and five sons: James E. Gaudette and his wife, Susan M. (Nicolls), Richard J. Gaudette and his wife, Gloria T. (Roy), Paul M. Gaudette, Michael F. Gaudette, David J. Gaudette and his wife Lisa A. (Shemchuk). He is also

survived by eight grandchildren: John Linnehan, Jr., Shauna White, Krysten Leslie, Brian Gaudette, Ryan Gaudette, Emily Gaudette, Matthew Gaudette, and Jared Gaudette, five great grandchildren; Alexa Linnehan, Olivia White, and Jack White, Isabelle Gaudette, and Edward Gaudette, a brother; Leon J. Gaudette, a sister in law; Ann 'Nancy' Beane, three nephews; Thomas, Robert. and Lawrence Beane.

Mr. Gaudette was predeceased by a son, Robert T. Gaudette, who died as an infant in June 1954, brother Raymond E. Gaudette, sisters in law, Eileen (O'Brien) Gaudette, Joan (Cyr) Gaudette, and brother in law Thomas Beane.

The Gaudette family would like to thank the staff at D'Youville Senior Care -- especially the devoted workers from Commodore Lane -- for their outstanding and compassionate care.

Relatives and friends are invited to the Celebration of Mr. Gaudette's life on Tuesday morning, November 20, from 9 until 10:30 AM at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE Funeral Home, 327 Hildreth Street in Lowell. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 AM in St. Francis Church, 115 Wheeler Road in Dracut. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Mary Cemetery, 90 River Road in Tewksbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name may be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.