Adger "Ben" Gauthier

Adger "Ben" Gauthier, 89, of Windham, husband of the late Peggy (Hemphill) Gauthier, died Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at Hartford Hospital. He was born April 12, 1919 in Fall River, MA, the son of Adger and Blanche (Caron) Gauthier, grew up in Scotland and had lived in Windham the past 70 years. He served as an aircraft mechanic during World War II in the Army Air Corps attached to Fame's Favored Few, the 92nd Bomb Group. Prior to his retirement Ben was employed for many years at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and Hamilton Standard. He was very proud to have been awarded the Apollo Achievement Award for his design work on the backpack worn for man's first landing on the moon, July 20, 1969. He was a multitalented man who possessed many skills which enabled him to build or repair almost anything. After retirement he spent 30 years traveling around the country and Canada in his recreational vehicle. Ben was a member of the Willimantic Elks and a very sociable man who made friends everywhere he went. He was a great family man with a large extended family, who provided a wonderful home life for his children. He is survived by a daughter, Susan Gosselin and her husband David of Windham, a sister, Lina Gauthier of Willimantic, six grandchildren, Laura Powell and her husband Hunter, Tim and Peter Gosselin, Leigh, Armand and Spencer Gauthier, four great grandchildren, Whitefield, Hudson and Kate Powell and Adriana Gauthier and her mother Jessica LeBrun, two nephews, Jack and Bill Naholnik. He is also survived by his much loved companion of the last 19 years, Helen Gotell. In addition to his wife he was predeceased by a son, Larry Gauthier, and a sister, Violet Naholnik. A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church, Pudding Hill Rd., Rte. 97, Scotland. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Rd., Windham on Monday at 1:30 p.m. A special thanks to all the wonderful staff at St. Joseph Living Center where he has lived for the last year and a half. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Dept., St. Joseph Living Center, 14 Club Rd., Windham, CT 06280. The Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic assisted with arrangements. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.