Normand Gautreau

Normand (Norm) was the 6th of ten children born on March 2, 1925, to Fred and Marie Rose (Cormier) Gautreau. He attended St. Jean Baptiste Catholic school in Lynn, MA for his elementary years. At 12 years old he went to study with the Marist Brothers at St. Joseph Juniorate in Tyngsboro, MA. After four years there he entered the seminary at St. Ann's Hermitage Novitiate in Poughkeepsie, NY.  He left the seminary in January and finished his last semester of high school back at St. Jean's.
 

In 1943, Norm entered military service joining the U.S. Army Air Forces. He served as a bombardier, navigator and aerial gunner for 2.5 years.  After the service, he attained a bachelor's degree from Merrimack College. In 1949 he married Claire Lucille Saulnier. They had four children: Cindy, Billy, Diane and Tommy.
 

He started his professional career with two of his brothers, Hervey and Arthur, as home builders. Gautreau Brothers Inc. was his business for many years.  In 1966 he moved to McAllen, Texas with his family to start a new career in the insurance industry. After a few years he became a top producer and was inducted into the Five Million Dollar Round Table - a national award.
 

One of the greatest joys of Norm's life was being a grandfather. He and Claire set aside every Saturday night for babysitting their grandchildren. The adventures that followed were legendary.
After Claire died in 2003, he married Irene Richards Chuldzinski. They were happily married until her passing in 2019. 

Norm passed away at home on May 6, 2024.  He is survived by his daughters Cindy Cain and Diane Donovan and his son Tom Gautreau. He was preceded in death by his son Bill Gautreau.   He has five grandchildren: Sacha Wheeler, Josh Cain, Jake Gautreau, Jade Gautreau and Sam Gautreau. He also has six great grandchildren: Logan Cain, Hayden Wheeler, Brandon Cain, Claire Wheeler, Liam Gautreau and Weston Gautreau.