- Kevin Frederick Gauthier, 55, of Oscoda and Glen Arbor passed away Friday, January 27, 2017 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
Kevin was born on Tuesday, August 1, 1961 to Frederick and Marcia (Burry) Gauthier in Traverse City. The family later moved to Livonia where Kevin attended school and graduated from Livonia Bentley High School. While in high school, Kevin and his brother Norman were competitive swimmers. Kevin and Norman's team were nationally rated and during Kevin's senior year in high school, he was instrumental in leading them to a State Championship for Class A. Schools. Kevin continued his education after high school at the Detroit Institute of Aeronautics realizing his dream of being an aviation mechanic. Following his schooling, he worked for several major companies over the years as an aviation mechanic and because of his work, traveled to many countries all over the world. Kevin was well liked by his colleagues wherever he was - he was the type of person who made friends easily (his friends all called him "Foot") and his friendly demeanor endeared them to him. Kevin loved the out of doors, sports, hunting, fishing canoeing, tubing and kayaking.
Kevin is survived by his parents, Fred and Marcia of Glen Arbor; his brother Norman (Margaret "Peggy") of Cedar; nephews Drew and Will; aunt Lori (Ron) Novak of Traverse City,; uncle Don (Peggy) Burry of Royal Oak and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and an aunt.
Visitation for Kevin will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning immediately following at 2 p.m., also at the funeral home. Pastor Randy Burgess will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Empire in the spring.
The family would ask that Kevin be remembered by contributions in his name to Munson Hospice House; c/o Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, 49684 (
www.munsonhealthcare.org/foundation
) or to a charity of one's own choosing.