Joseph J. Edward Gauthier, 84, of Cromwell, CT, died in Hingham MA of stroke-related illness

on July 21, 2024. Known to his work and airplane friends as “Joe” and to his family as “Ed,” he

was born on October 15, 1939 in Thompson, CT to Simone and Leo Gauthier, deceased. He is

survived by his loving wife Carol Elaine, his daughters Betty Lynn Senes and Linda McLaughlin,

and their husbands Ray and Artie, respectively, and grandchildren Emily Senes (husband Brian

McInerney), Zachery Macintyre (wife Jill Macintyre), and Kylie Macintyre. He was preceded in

death by his brothers Paul, Dan and Leo, and sister Suzanne, and is survived by sister Mary

Claire Renaud (husband Leon Renaud).

Joe worked for the phone company his entire career, but his passions were his family and

everything homebuilt airplanes. Fueled by his service in the US Air Force an A&P-licensed

mechanic, he became an accomplished pilot, flight instructor and safety counselor. He was the

FAA’s first Designated Air Worthiness Representative (“DAR”) to sign off homebuilt aircraft. He

served as President of the Experimental Aircraft Association Hartford Chapter 166 and

participated in the building of dozens of homebuilt aircraft which were often flown to the

AirVenture show in Oshkosh WI in late July each summer.

His love for his wife of 62 years, Carol, was undeniable. She was his constant companion,

whether it be traveling to various destinations to see new sights, enjoying time with family and

friends, flying to a destination for a meal, or sitting at the hangar while he worked on airplanes

with friends. He was a devoted father to his daughters and loved spending time with his three

grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held from the Cromwell Funeral Home on Monday July 29 th at 9:00 am

followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am at St. John’s Church at 5 St. Johns Ct.,

Cromwell, CT. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Cromwell, where full military honors

will be accorded. Family and friends may call on Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the

Cromwell Funeral Home at 506 Main St. in Cromwell.

To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit

www.doolittlefuneralservice.com

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s (Ed’s) memory may be made to the Joseph Gauthier

Memorial Fund (a non-profit charitable fund). This fund has been set up to support the next

generation in the sport and craft of flying and building airplanes. Donations can be made to the

Joseph Gauthier Memorial Fund and delivered to any Liberty Bank branch, or mailed c/o Linda

McLaughlin, 6 Firetower Rd., Rehoboth, MA 02769.