Albert Edward Gauthier

Albert Edward Gauthier-August 30, 1934-October 15,2024 Albert was born on August 30, 1934, in Central Falls, RI to parents Edward and Annette (Frechette) Gauthier. At the age of 4, he sustained a life altering injury by getting hit with a piece of slate in his right eye. He always said that he was glad it was his right eye because he could still drive with the vision of his left eye.

He was educated at Notre Dame School and Sacred Heart Academy, both in Central Falls, RI. He also attended Dean Junior College in Franklin, MA and Johnson and Wales College in Providence, RI. He spent two years in the US Army being stationed at Fort Dix, NJ and France.

On September 2, 1957, he married Winifred (Winnie) Duffy at St. Mary's Church in Pawtucket, RI. On July 26 of the following year, they welcomed their only child, Catherine. After spending a few years in the jewelry industry as a polisher, he took the civil service examination and landed a much-desired position in the USPS as a letter carrier. He spent 30 years working for the Post Office and was always very proud of his job.

In the 1980's, he became involved in the Knights of Columbus, rising to the top rank of Fourth Degree Knight. He and Winnie enjoyed going to all the parties the K of C held. It was during this time that Winnie became ill with the disease that would prematurely end her life, non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Their time together came to an end on March 18, 1991, after 32 ½ years of marriage.

Al retired from the Post Office in 1990 after 30 years of service and began working for Ann and Hope, first in Cumberland, RI and then at their Millis, MA warehouse. He and Winnie moved from Ashton, RI where they had spent many happy years to an apartment in Woonsocket, RI where everything was on one floor for Winnie. They were there only five months when she passed away. After six months he decided he needed to make a move to get on with his life. He moved to a cute apartment on John St. in Lincoln, RI. It was here he would meet the woman who would become his lifelong companion, Joan Towner. Joan was a widow and with Al being a widower they had that in common as well as being from Central Falls originally and they both worked at Ann and Hope. Soon they became companions who would leave Rhode Island for the desert of Green Valley, AZ. They loved their life in Green Valley, making many friends, especially Lou, Carl, and MJ, as well as others too many to list. Al was so in love with Arizona and spoke of it so often he was called "the Arizona Guy" by a family member.

He leaves behind his lifelong companion, Joan Towner, his only child, Catherine Bovia and her husband, Stephen. He also leaves a grandson, Michael Bovia and his wife Sharon, and a granddaughter, Sarah DaSilva. He also leaves two great­ granddaughters, Emilie Bovia and Kennadie DaSilva. He leaves one brother, Raymond Gauthier as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Richard Gauthier, and his wife, Winnie. His burial will be at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI, next to Winnie, at a later date.