John C. Gaudreau, 49
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - John Charles Gaudreau, 49, of 443 State Road died Monday, June 24, 2002, at home.
Born in North Adams on Sept. 1, 1952, son of Norman M.
and Mary Cardinal Gaudreau of North Adams, he attended the former St. Joseph's Grammar School and graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School in 1970.
At the time of his death, Mr. Gaudreau was employed with the Chadbourne division of Steinerfilm in Williamstown, where he served one term as president of IUE Local 231 and several terms as an officer.
He enjoyed playing and watching sports, and was a fan of the New York Yankees. He also enjoyed playing golf and was a member of Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown.
He was a coach for many years with the North Adams Little League and the North Adams Youth Basketball League. He also coached the all-star basketball and travel teams for many years, and was an organizer of a summer basketball league for Grades 6 through 12.
Mr. Gaudreau was appointed by Mayor John Barrett III to the city's Parks and Recreation Commission. He also had served as chairman of volunteers for the Northern Berkshire chapter of the American Cancer Society. In 2001, he was named a "Local Hero" by The Berkshire Eagle for his dedication and commitment to youth sports.
As a tribute to his former wife, the late Martha Finney Gaudreau who died in April, he helped in 1989 to establish Marty's T-Ball League, which for 14 years has provided an introduction to the game of baseball for more than 950 children.
Besides his parents, he leaves his wife, the former Susan Marie O'Neill, whom he married Aug. 12, 1995; two sons, Ryley C. Gaudreau and Seth D. Gaudreau, both of North Adams; a stepson, Kevin R. Toye of Charlestown; a stepdaughter, Shannon E. Toye of North Adams; three brothers, Paul Gaudreau and Marc Gaudreau, both of North Adams, and Peter Gaudreau of Ludlow; four sisters, Debra Matney of Rochester, N.Y., Mary Messer of Slippery Rock, Pa., and Lynn Hartlage and Anne Gaudreau, both of North Adams, and a grandchild.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A nondenominational celebration of the life of Mr. Gaudreau will be held Thursday, June 27, at 5 in the C.H. McCann Technical School gymnasium, North Adams.
Calling hours at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams, will be Wednesday, June 26, from 4 to 7. The family requests the omission of flowers. Memorial donations are suggested to the John C. Gaudreau Foundation through the funeral home. The foundation will be established in his memory and will be used for underprivileged youths so that they may participate in and enjoy basketball.